Jan 9, 2002
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Prior to Wednesday night's game with No. 13 Iowa, Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody was concerned with the Wildcats' ability to contain the Hawkeyes' inside-outside duo of Reggie Evans and Luke Recker.
In the end, his concern seemed justified.
Evans, a senior, scored 21 points and had 11 rebounds, while classmate Recker--making his first appearance against NU as a Hawkeye--added 20 points to lead Iowa to a 70-60 victory Wednesday night.
Jitim Young had 16 points to lead Northwestern (8-5, 0-2).
Iowa shot 60 percent, by far the best total against the Wildcats this season. However, that success was tempered by 22 Hawkeye turnovers, the most by any NU opponent this season.
At the other end, Northwestern shot just 39.2 percent from the field but went 9-of-21 from 3-point range to stay close. Winston Blake added 14 points for the Wildcats, including three treys. Vedran Vukusic (11 points) and Aaron Jennings (10) added a pair of trifectas apiece.
Iowa got off to a quick start, with eight of the game's first 10 points, and led 36-25 at halftime. However, Northwestern showed it was not ready to lay down as the second half started, as a 3-pointer by freshman Vukusic keyed a 10-2 Wildcat run that cut the Hawkeyes' lead to 40-35.
Iowa roared back behind two 3-pointers by Recker--he ended up a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc--to outscore Northwestern 11-2 over the next three minutes. The burst gave the Hawkeyes a 51-37 lead with 12:45 left to play.
Northwestern refused to give in to its nationally ranked foe, though, clawing back within 55-46 on two free throws by Blake with 10:32 left.
Iowa then went on an 8-1 run with Evans scoring two baskets to claim its largest lead of the game, 63-47, with 5:59 to play.
Northwestern never got closer than 10 points the rest of the game, though the Hawkeyes could not rest easily until the final ticks of the clock.
Iowa (13-4, 2-1 Big Ten) won for the seventh time in eight games.
Northwestern is next in action against the only team to beat Iowa during their latest eight-game stretch. Ohio State comes to Welsh-Ryan Arena Saturday night, with the tip scheduled for 7 p.m.