Wednesday, December 18
Evanston, Ill.
7 P.M.
Northwestern
5-5,0-2Big Ten
72
vs
77
#15 Michigan State
8-3,2-0Big Ten
1
2
F
Michigan St.
37
40
77
Northwestern
27
45
72
Northwestern Falls to #15 Michigan State in Big Ten Battle, 77-72
12/18/2019 9:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern took the 15th-ranked Michigan State Spartans down to the wire on Wednesday night but came up short, 77-72.
First-year Boo Buie set the pace for the Wildcats with a career-high 26 points shooting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. Sophomore Pete Nance also scored double digits finishing with 14 on 6-of-12 shooting to go along with seven rebounds. Buie's 26 points are the most by any Wildcat player this season and the second consecutive game an NU rookie has scored at least 25 points.
Northwestern kept the pressure on all game forcing 16 turnovers Michigan State. Anthony Gaines had an impressive defensive showing snatching four steals of his own. The Wildcats were able to capitalize on these turnovers, scoring 24 points off turnovers which allowed them to keep it close throughout the second half.
In the first half defense was the storyline for the 'Cats. Northwestern pressured the ball well, forcing eight Michigan State turnovers. Active near the rim, the 'Cats also blocked three shots. The Wildcats also held Michigan State scoreless in the last 3:57 of the stanza.
In the second half, Boo Buie led a 10-0 run at the 13:22 mark to cut the Michigan State lead to six. All ten points were scored by bench players, eight of which belonging to Buie.
The 'Cats cut the Spartans' lead to as little as four in the second half led by Buie's high-octane play off the bench. The Wildcats overall outscored the Spartans by five in the second half.
Chicago's Big Ten Team is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 21, as they travel to Wintrust Arena to take on DePaul in a crosstown-town showdown.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
First-year Boo Buie set the pace for the Wildcats with a career-high 26 points shooting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. Sophomore Pete Nance also scored double digits finishing with 14 on 6-of-12 shooting to go along with seven rebounds. Buie's 26 points are the most by any Wildcat player this season and the second consecutive game an NU rookie has scored at least 25 points.
Northwestern kept the pressure on all game forcing 16 turnovers Michigan State. Anthony Gaines had an impressive defensive showing snatching four steals of his own. The Wildcats were able to capitalize on these turnovers, scoring 24 points off turnovers which allowed them to keep it close throughout the second half.
In the first half defense was the storyline for the 'Cats. Northwestern pressured the ball well, forcing eight Michigan State turnovers. Active near the rim, the 'Cats also blocked three shots. The Wildcats also held Michigan State scoreless in the last 3:57 of the stanza.
In the second half, Boo Buie led a 10-0 run at the 13:22 mark to cut the Michigan State lead to six. All ten points were scored by bench players, eight of which belonging to Buie.
The 'Cats cut the Spartans' lead to as little as four in the second half led by Buie's high-octane play off the bench. The Wildcats overall outscored the Spartans by five in the second half.
Chicago's Big Ten Team is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 21, as they travel to Wintrust Arena to take on DePaul in a crosstown-town showdown.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Team Stats
MSU
NU
FG%
.459
.426
3FG%
.429
.429
FT%
.857
.733
RB
48
24
TO
16
8
STL
3
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
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