Feb. 1, 2006
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Northwestern put up a valiant effort tonight at No. 22 Indiana, but a career-high 23 points by IU's Roderick Wilmont proved too much for the Wildcats to overcome in the 72-63 loss at Assembly Hall.
The Hoosiers (13-5, 5-3) snapped a two-game losing streak by winning their 34th straight home game over the Wildcats. They have also won 13 straight Big Ten home games.
Indiana, which produced season-low shooting percentages in each of its last three games, got itself righted against one of the nation's top defenses. The Hoosiers shot 51 percent from the field. Robert Vaden had 11 points, all in the second half, while Suhr added 10.
Northwestern held Marco Killingsworth, the third-leading scorer in the Big Ten with 19.2 ppg, to just nine points before fouling out.
For a change, the Hoosiers started quickly. They broke out to a 12-4 lead and extended the margin to 19-9 midway through the first half.
But Northwestern fought back, tying the score twice - at 22 late in the first half and at 30 early in the second half.
But Suhr changed the game with his quickness. Twice the 5-foot-8 guard beat the Wildcats to rebounds that set up 3-pointers, and he found open passing lanes to beat Northwestern's defense. And when Wilmont hit his second straight 3 with 14:14 to go, the Hoosiers led 40-32.
Again, Northwestern rallied. This time, they closed to 58-55 with 4:18 left, but Wilmont answered with another 3 to ignite a 7-0 run that made it 65-55.
Indiana sealed the game by making nine of 10 free throws in the final 1:40.
Vedran Vukusic scored 18 points and Mohamed Hachad added 14 for Northwestern (10-9, 3-5).
Northwestern returns home to face 12th-ranked Michigan State this Saturday at 6 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.