Northwestern
6-2,1-0Big Ten
#20 Michigan State
5-4,0-1Big Ten
'Cats Topple No. 20 Spartans in Big Ten Opener
12/4/2022 8:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Boo Buie scored 20 points to help lead Northwestern over the No. 20 Michigan State Spartans 70-63 at the Breslin Center on Sunday in the Big Ten opener for both teams. NU has won back-to-back games in the series at Michigan State for the first time since 1962.
Back-to-back B1G wins at The Bres.
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 5, 2022
'Cats beat No. 20 Spartans ?? pic.twitter.com/edwyK64PVB
The Wildcats (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten) had three scorers in double figures, led by Buie. Chase Audige tacked on 15 points and four steals and Ty Berry helped out with 11 points and three steals.
Northwestern protected the rim well, coming away with five blocks. Julian Roper II led the way individually for the Wildcats with two rejections in his return to the lineup.
The win marks the second consecutive victory over Michigan State and third in the previous four games in the series between the Spartans and Wildcats.
"Don't get on the bus unless you think you can win."
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 5, 2022
?? @coach_collins pic.twitter.com/YqX7AtTPY2
How It Happened
After falling behind 17-10, Northwestern went on an 8-0 run with 12:15 left in the first half to take an 18-17 lead. The Wildcats then maintained that lead, entering halftime with a 38-37 advantage. Northwestern shot 50% from the field in the first 20 minutes.
Northwestern never trailed in the second half, holding MSU to just 26 points in the final twenty minutes. NU went 21-for-24 from the free-throw line, including a 9-for-10 mark from the charity stripe in the second half. The 'Cats scored the final six points of the contest to finish off the 70-63 victory.
Game Notes
» Northwestern has defeated a ranked Michigan State team for the third-consecutive season.» The 'Cats shot 50% (11-of-22) in the first half.
» NU made a season-high 21-of-24 free throws, its most in a Big Ten matchup since converting 22 times from the line against Minnesota on Feb. 25, 2021.
» Boo Buie scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting and 7-of-7 from the line.
» It is the 12th 20+ point game of Buie's career and third against Michigan State.
» Chase Audige scored 15 points, thanks to 3-of-6 shooting from deep.
» Audige recorded four steals for the third time this season.
Northwestern returns home to Welsh-Ryan Area to resume non-conference play with a 1 p.m. CT tip on Sunday, December 11 against Prairie View A&M on BTN.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
