Olah’s Double-Double Leads 'Cats Past MVSU

12/15/2015 9:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Wildcats improve to 9-1 on the season

EVANSTON, Ill. – Alex Olah scored a game high 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his 10th career double-double, and Northwestern picked up its ninth win of the season, beating Mississippi Valley State, 78-48, on Tuesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The Wildcats' 9-1 start matches the best 10-game stretch to open a season since 2011-12.

Northwestern went to Olah early and often as the senior center scored 11 of the Wildcats' first 15 points. He shot 8-11 over the course of the game, including making all six of his first-half shots.

"We really wanted to establish (Olah)," head coach Chris Collins said. "We had a big size advantage. Alex was the star tonight, and he played great."

Olah was joined in double figures by Bryant McIntosh (14), Tre Demps (13)and Aaron Falzon (12). McIntosh handed out eight assists to go along with four rebounds and two steals. Falzon hit four of Northwestern's seven three-pointers.

Northwestern really asserted itself in the second half, outscoring Mississippi Valley State, 41-21 and proving especially dominant in the paint using a 36-22 advantage to build a comfortable lead in the second half.

Chicago's Big Ten Team led by 10 at halftime despite shooting 48 percent and holding the Delta Devils to just 28 percent from the field. Mississippi Valley State put up 39 shots compared to only 25 from Northwestern in the first 20 minutes.

Defense remained crucial for the Wildcats, as they held the Delta Devils to just 29 percent shooting for the game. Northwestern has held five of its first 10 opponents to under 30 percent from the field.

A 28-5 run midway through the second half allowed the Wildcats to extend the lead to a game-high 30 and pull away from the Delta Devils for good.

"We are happy with the win," Collins said. "I thought our defense was really good. The guys did a good job, and it sets up a big game for us Saturday."

The Wildcats take on DePaul Saturday, Dec. 19 at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. The game is scheduled to tip at 1 p.m. and will be televised on FS1.

Northwestern Notes vs. Mississippi Valley State – Dec. 15, 2015
• Northwestern runs its record to 9-1. It is the Wildcats' best start to a season since they started the 2011-12 season with nine wins through their first 10 games.
• Northwestern improves to 6-1 all-time vs. Mississippi Valley State, including 6-0 in games played in Evanston.
• Alex Olah hit his first seven field goal attempts and finished 8-of-11 from the field for a game-high 21 points. It was his third 20-point game of the season and the eighth of his career.
• Olah also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds to notch his second double-double of the season and the 10^th of his career.
• Olah ran his career point total to 982, just 18 shy of becoming the 33^rd Northwestern player all-time to score 1,000 career points.
• Bryant McIntosh recorded 8 assists in the contest. He entered the game ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 24^th nationally in the category with an average of 6.1 per contest.
• Freshman Aaron Falzon knocked down four 3-pointers in the contest. It is the third time this season that he has knocked down four or more triples in a game.
• Northwestern's 53 rebounds were its most in a game since recording 53 in a 68-30 win over Oakland on Nov. 21, 1998.
• Northwestern blocked 10 shots in the game, led by three apiece from Olah and Nathan Taphorn (career high). The team's total is one shy of its season high of 11 posted vs. SIUE on Dec. 5.