Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
2-1,0-0Big Ten
Pittsburgh
3-1,0-0ACC
'Cats Fall to Pitt in ACC/Big Ten Challenge, 71-70
12/9/2020 10:46:00β―PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. β Northwestern dropped a tight Wednesday night contest to Pittsburgh, 71-70, as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
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Sophomore Boo Buie led the Wildcats with 14 points on a career-high eight free throws to go along with six assists. Sophomore Ryan Young tallied 13 points, including 11 in the second half, and seven rebounds. Young is the first Wildcat center since at least 2010 to make 100% of his free throws with 7+ free throw attempts.Β Junior guard Ryan Greer tied a career-high with six points on 2-of-2 shooting.Β
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Northwestern opened the game on a 17-6 run, led by stifling defense and five points from Robbie Beran. The Wildcats held Pitt scoreless for the first 4:15 of the half and did not allow the Panthers' first field goal for the first 5:35, forcing 12-consecutive misses.Β
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After Pitt rallied back to cut the Wildcats' lead to three, Northwestern went on a 13-2 run, including eight points from Chase Audige, to extend the lead to 14.
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Chase Audige's 10 points (2-for-4 from three), along with six rebounds, three assists and two blocks from Pete Nance, led the 'Cats to a 33-22 advantage at the half. 10 of the team's 11 first-half field goals were assisted. Pitt's 22 points is the lowest first half total allowed by Northwestern since they allowed 22 to Purdue on Dec. 8, 2019.
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Pitt rallied in the first 10:00 of the second half, cutting the Wildcats' lead to one. Northwestern pulled back ahead with a 7-0 run of their own, including four points from Ryan Young, to take a 61-53 lead with 5:00 remaining.
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Leading by three with under 1:30 to play, Miller Kopp hit a key pull up jumper to extend the 'Cats lead to five. Pitt responded with six unanswered points to close out the game.
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Chicago's Big Ten Team is back in action on Sunday, Dec. 13 as they take on SIU-Edwardsville at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPNU.Β
