Celebration vs. Ohio StateCelebration vs. Ohio State

Resilient Wildcats Surge Past Ohio State, 69-63

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Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Boo Buie and Brooks Barnhizer put up 19 points apiece to lead Northwestern as it bested Ohio State by a final score of 69-63 this evening inside Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
 

The Wildcats (17-7, 8-5 B1G) had three players score in double figures, led by Barnhizer and Buie's 19-point efforts.  Buie also dished out five assists, while Chase Audige rounded out the trio to crack the 10-point mark with 12 points, four assists, and two steals.

Led by four treys from Barnhizer, Northwestern finished the night with 12 made three-point field goals, a high for the 'Cats during Big Ten Conference play.

Tonight's victory also marks the 150th win for Northwestern Head Coach Chris Collins. 

How It Happened

After falling behind 25-19, triples from Barnhizer and Buie, respectively, pulled Northwestern level at 25-25 with 1:37 to play in the first half.  A Nick Martinelli runner with time winding down sent the 'Cats into the locker room with a 28-27 lead.

Audige dialed in from outside in the opening minute of the second stanza to put Northwestern in front, 31-28.  Ohio State looked to create separation as the half wore on, opening up a four-point edge, 41-37, on a Justice Sueing jumper at the 14:03 mark, but the 'Cats refused to go away, edging back on top, 42-41 on a Buie layup with 12:51 remaining.

With Northwestern nursing a 54-52 lead following a Bruce Thornton bucket, the Wildcats rattled off the night's next seven points, a run capped off by another Barnhizer three that gave the visitors their largest lead of the night, 61-52, with just under five minutes to go.  Ohio State would whittle the margin down to four on a pair of occassions down the stretch, but would get no closer as the Wildcats closed out their sixth road win of the season.

Game Notes

» Barnhizer and Buie paced the 'Cats on the night, each putting up 19 points.
    » Barnhizer's offensive output saw him surpass his previous career high of 18 points, set back on December 20 against UIC.
    » Buie reached double figures in scoring for an 18th straight game.
» Northwestern's 12 made threes were its most in a game since it connected on 13 triples in an 83-45 win over DePaul on December 17.
» Northwestern recorded 15 total assists in the game.
» The Buckeyes were limited to just one make on 14 attempts from beyond the three-point arc.

Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, February 12 when it entertains No. 1 Purdue in a 1 p.m. tip-off that will be televised on BTN.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.