Northwestern Drops Big Ten Road Contest at Indiana

1/14/2018 5:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Final Box (PDF)Coach Collins Postgame

BLOOMINGTON, IND. — Northwestern was unable to overcome a slow start offensively as the Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Wildcats, 66-46, Sunday afternoon at Assembly Hall.

Vic Law finished tied for a team-high nine points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists for the Wildcats. Aaron Falzon contributed with eight points and five rebounds, while Dererk Pardon also finished with eight points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Northwestern's defense set the tone early, holding the Hoosiers scoreless for almost four minutes to start the game. Both teams had trouble getting the lid off the basket early, however Falzon started the scoring off by sinking a three-pointer with 16:22 to put Northwestern up, 3-0.

A run by Indiana gave the Hoosiers a double-digit lead midway through the first half, however an 8-0 counter by the 'Cats helped cut their deficit to two with 7:18 to go in the half. Bryant McIntosh began the run with a triple, his first of the day, and then Law followed it up with a layup and a three-pointer on back-to-back possessions.

The pace began to pick up as both teams traded buckets in the final 10 minutes of the half. A three-pointer by Robert Johnson gave Indiana a 24-15 lead, but a dunk by Pardon and a pair of free throws from Falzon sent Northwestern into halftime trailing, 24-19.

Pardon led the Wildcats at the half with six points and four rebounds, while Falzon and Law each had five points.

Northwestern hung in the game to start the second half, with a three-pointer by Falzon and a dunk by Lindsey each cutting the lead to four on separate occasions early on.

However, the Wildcats didn't have an answer for the Hoosiers' hot shooting as IU opened up its lead back up to double digits.

Indiana shot an impressive 14-of-23 from the field as a team over the final 20 minutes of play. Isiah Brown provided NU with a spark off the bench, finishing tied for a team-high nine points, all of which came in the second half.

Northwestern is back in action Wednesday, Jan. 17 when they return home to Allstate Arena to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. Tip time is 8 p.m. CT with the action being televised on BTN. Tickets are available by calling 888-GO-PURPLE or by visiting NUsports.com.