Wildcats Fall to Purdue, 70-57, on Senior Day

3/9/2019 3:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Notes (PDF)Box Score (PDF)Postgame Presser: Collins Postgame Presser: Pardon/Hall

EVASNTON, Ill. -- Vic Law and Dererk Pardon combined for 21 points and nine rebounds as the Wildcats celebrated senior day at the new Welsh-Ryan Arena, while Northwestern lost to Purdue 70-57.

Northwestern (13-18, 4-16 B1G) shot 11-24 from three in the game, tied for their second most made threes in a game this season.

The Wildcats entered the game with the seventh-best three point percentage defense in the country, and clamped down on Big Ten leaders Purdue (23-8, 16-4 B1G), holding them to just 29 percent from three.

Before tip-off the Wildcats honored six senior members: Law, Pardon, Ryan Taylor, Aaron Falzon, Jordan Ash and Charlie Hall. This senior class saw Northwestern through the brightest period in program history, from the Wildcats' first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017 to the opening of the new arena this year. Four of them started, including the first start of Hall's career, while wearing special senior-designed uniforms.

Law performed like one of the best in program history in his final home start. Law finished with 13 points in 30 minutes, before leaving the game with a lower body injury. Law shot 3-6 from three and added seven rebounds and an assist.

AJ Turner led the #B1GCats with 14 points, with four threes late in the game, while adding three assists. Pardon finished his Welsh-Ryan career with eight points, two rebounds and two assists, while Anthony Gaines recorded nine points to go with his three rebounds and three assists.

Purdue jumped out to early 10-3 lead, but the Wildcats charged right back. Law, Kopp, and Gaines scored all of NU's first 20 points as the Wildcats pulled within 22-20 with five minutes left in the first. Northwestern's stingy defense held Purdue to just 34 percent shooting in the half, well beneath their season average of 45 percent.

After being held quiet in the first half, Northwestern's seniors made noise in their last home half of basketball. Law started the half with a three, before Pardon scored on consecutive possessions and Falzon rained in from deep to pull the Wildcats within ten at 44-35.

As the Boilermakers looked to be gaining steam, it was Turner's turn to shine. A pair of corner threes brought Welsh-Ryan to life and cut the score to 54-47 with nine minutes to go. It happened again five minutes later, when Taylor slipped into the corner for a pair of consecutive threes to keep the Wildcats within reach at 63-55.

Eventually, the clock ran out for the last time at Welsh-Ryan in the 2018 season, with Purdue ahead 70-57.

Northwestern will return to the court this Wednesday at the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center.

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