Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Illinois
Wildcats Fall to Illini, 62-41
2/17/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2013
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Site: Evanston, Ill. (Welsh-Ryan Arena)
Score: Illinois 62, Northwestern 41
Records: NU (13-13, 4-9 Big Ten), Illinois (19-8, 6-7 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Wednesday, Feb. 20 - vs. Wisconsin (Welsh-Ryan Arena), 8 p.m.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern couldn't overcome a cold shooting night from the field as it fell to Illinois 62-41 Sunday evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Reggie Hearn paced the Wildcats with 11 points, while Alex Marcotullio and Tre Demps added eight apiece.
NU entered the contest in search of a season sweep of the Illini after posted a 68-54 victory in Champaign on Jan. 17.
The Wildcats struggled from the field throughout the opening half play and dug themselves an early 7-0 deficit. A 3-pointer off the bench by Marcotullio and a layup by Hearn back within a pair, but the Illini countered with nine straight to make it 16-5.
The switch to the 1-3-1 defense helped NU get stops and get back in the game.
Northwestern held Illinois to only one field goal and three points over and eight-minute span as they got to within 19-15 after Alex Olah's free throw with just under three minutes left capped a 10-3 Wildcat run.
However, it was the Illini that finished the half strong, scoring the final 10 points of the stanza to take a 29-15 lead at the break. NU managed just 5-for-23 shooting (21.7 percent) over the opening 20 minutes of play.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the shooting woes carried over to the second half and Illinois' run quickly put the game out of reach.
Northwestern managed just 25 percent shooting in the contest, including making just five of its 27 3-point field goal attempts.
The Wildcats return to action at 8 p.m. Wednesday when they host Wisconsin at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
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