Northwestern Rolls McKendree in Exhibition Matchup, 102-52

11/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Nov. 7, 2014

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By Jasper Scherer
Northwestern Athletic Communications

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Alex Olah scored a game-high 18 points, freshman point guard Bryant McIntosh recorded a double-double in his first taste of collegiate basketball and Northwestern shot 71.9 percent from the field on the way to a 102-52 victory over McKendree in a Friday night exhibition game at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Five Wildcats scored in double digits and the team converted on 10 of its 14 three-pointers while outrebounding McKendree by a 43 to 24 margin. But to head coach Chris Collins, the team's cohesiveness on the floor was the takeaway from Northwestern's victory.

"The thing that really stands out to me is 31 assists on 41 baskets," Collins said. "I really feel like this is a team where we have multiple guys who can score the basketball."

McIntosh led the way with 11 assists and senior captain Dave Sobolewski added six of his own while converting on all three of his shot attempts. Redshirt junior Tre Demps added to the efficient output as well, with seven field goals on nine shots for 16 points.

"Tre is our scoring punch. You look at the stat sheet and you know he played well; he ends up with 16 points," Collins said. "That's just who Tre is, and we know with Tre if the game's on the line, there's no secret where the ball's gonna be going."

Northwestern jumped out to a 15-0 lead to start the game, forcing three McKendree turnovers while holding the Bearcats without a field goal for their first five shots. On the offensive end, McIntosh made his presence felt early with seven assists in the first 13 minutes, three of which went to Olah.

"It was a good opportunity for me and the rest of the freshmen to find our niche," said McIntosh, who also hit on all six of his shot attempts.

By the end of the first half, Northwestern held a 57-24 lead thanks to its smothering defense and efficient shooting (23-for-33, a 69.7 percent clip), largely the result of fluid passing from guards McIntosh, Sobolewski and senior JerShon Cobb. The 'Cats recorded 18 assists on their 23 first-half baskets and committed just three turnovers, outscoring the Bearcats 34-8 in the paint.

"I was really proud of our group, I thought our intensity was really good. It was our goal coming into the game, obviously first and foremost we have to learn how to win," Collins said. "Secondary to that was getting everybody a chance to get their feet wet, especially when you have so many new players."

The second half began much like the first, with the Wildcats converting on each of their first eight shots, capped off by freshman guard Scottie Lindsey's driving layup.

The Bearcats went on a 12-1 run from there, forcing Collins to call a timeout, after which the Wildcats used a barrage of threes by Law, Lindsey and Vassar, along with a pair of layups by Demps, to regain their footing and finish with the game's final six points.

"We're a lot deeper. On any given night, anyone can lead us in scoring," Cobb said after the game. "As a team, we're making an identity and I think we showed that tonight."

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