Wildcats Fall to 18th-Ranked Badgers, 78-46

1/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Jan. 23, 2011

Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery

Site: Evanston, Ill. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)
Score: Wisconsin 78, Northwestern 46
Records: NU (13-6, 3-5 Big Ten), Wisconsin (15-4, 5-2 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Wednesday, Jan. 26 --at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern was unable to slow down Wisconsin's efficient offense and the Wildcats dropped a 78-46 decision to the 18th-ranked Badgers Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Luka Mirkovic and John Shurna led the Wildcats with 13 points apiece.

NU rode the hot hand of Shurna early on as he tallied seven early points and the Wildcats trailed just 17-16 seven and a half minutes into the game. Senior point guard Michael Thompson picked up two quick fouls and once he finally took the bench, that's when the Badgers began to pull away.

The guests gradually built their lead over the remainder of the half, shooting 62.1 percent from the field on 18-of-29 shooting, including connecting on seven 3-pointers, over the opening 20 minutes of play.

The intermission didn't slow Wisconsin down, as a big run to open the second stanza quickly put the game out of Northwestern's reach. The Wildcats managed just four points over the opening nine minutes and 39 seconds following the break.

One bright spot for Northwestern was the Wildcats' ability to hold onto the ball, committing just five turnovers on the day.

Northwestern returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday as it travels to Minnesota.

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