West's Career Night Helps Northwestern Improve to 2-0

By Charlie Perlman, NUSports.com

EVANSTON, Ill. — For the second consecutive game, Northwestern led wire-to-wire behind 23 points and 6 assists from sophomore guard Jake West, winning 78-65 against Stony Brook on Friday night inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. 

West's game-high 23 points marked a career best, surpassing the 20 points he scored Monday.

In only his sophomore year, West became the first Wildcat to score at least 20 points in each of the first two games of a season since Drew Crawford in 2010.

“I think having almost half a year in the Big Ten under my belt was really great for my development,” West said. “Kudos to Coach Collins for believing in me my freshman year and letting me be out there because I think it's really starting to pay off.”

“I told Phoenix he was going to have a fair opportunity to carve out a role, and that's what he did,” Collins said. “He had a great summer. Him, Angelo (Ciaravino), and Jake really led the way as all these new guys came in, and he's carved out a role for himself. And now hopefully he can keep building on that.”

Graduate student guard LA Pratt added 16 points and six rebounds while posting a game-high plus-18 plus/minus. He is the first Wildcat newcomer to score at least 15 points in each of the first two games of a season since Chase Audige in 2020.

Northwestern knocked down 10 3-pointers in the first half, its most in a half since making 10 against Nebraska on Feb. 5, 2022. West, Gill and Pratt each scored at least 10 points as the Wildcats (2-0) took a 44-30 lead into halftime.

Redshirt junior forward Ryan Soulis recorded eight points and tied for a game-high seven rebounds off the bench, helping the Wildcats establish a double-digit advantage on the boards.

“That's what we need,” Collins said. “He got on the glass. I thought he brought energy, brought some physicality and had some big baskets when we needed them, and we need more of that.”

Northwestern held Stony Brook below 40% shooting from the field and 24% from 3-point range. The Wildcats forced nine turnovers and limited the Seawolves to one fastbreak point.

Junior guard Angelo Ciaravino anchored Northwestern's defensive effort with a game-high four blocks and two steals. The 6-foot-6 captain also tied for a game-high seven rebounds.

“Angelo's superpower is his activity,” Collins said. “The loose balls he creates, the long rebounds, the deflections, the blocked shots, the steals, the ability to get out on the open floor. He can get on the offensive glass. He just does a lot of things that help you win.”

The Wildcats will host Boston University at home on Monday, Nov. 9. Tip-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena is slated for 7 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and WGN 720.