Feb. 21, 2010
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MADISON, Wis. - Northwestern trimmed a 14-point deficit to one with 2:10 remaining, but was unable to make it all the way back in falling 70-63 to 14th-ranked Wisconsin at the Kohl Center Sunday afternoon. John Shurna led the Wildcats with a game-high 26 points.
Both teams operated at a high level of efficiency early on. Shurna had the hot hand early on to help overcome the fact that Wisconsin scored on each of its first eight possessions.
With the contest tied 10-10, the Badgers used a 9-2 run to take a seven-point lead. The Wildcats would creep back within three on two occasions, including on a lay-up by Davide Curletti with seven minutes remaining. Curletti gave NU solid contributions off the bench as he scored five points.
Northwestern remained within four following two free throws by Michael Thompson with 4:25 remaining, but Wisconsin closed the half on a 12-2 run to take a 43-29 lead at the intermission.
After scoring just 52 points at Minnesota Thursday night, Wisconsin shot a sizzling 75 percent (15-20) from the field in the first half to 50 percent (10-20) for NU.
A quick 7-2 run out of the gates to start the second half got the Wildcats to within nine and made it a ballgame. NU still trailed by nine with under nine minutes to go when a lay-in by Mirkovic, two free throws by Shurna and a deuce by Michael Thompson got Nortwestern to within three, 57-54.
Wisconsin pushed its lead back up to six, but one free throw by Shurna and two free throws and a lay-up by Thompson made it a one-point game. Jordan Taylor converted a pair from the charity stripe on the other end before Thompson made two more to trim the Badgers' lead to 64-63 with 2:10 left.
Jon Leuer made one from the line at the other end to make it a two-point game and Shurna had a chance to tie it with a short baseline jumper, but it was off the mark with a minute remaining.
With the shot clock winding down, Trevon Hughes missed a 3-pointer and Shurna hauled in the rebound but he was called for an extremely questionable foul with 30 seconds to go and Wisconsin was able to seal the game from the line.
The Wildcats held the Badgers to 5-of-19 shooting in the second half to help trigger the comeback. NU shot 50 percent (21-42) to 51.3 percent (20-39) for Wisconsin.
Northwestern returns to action at 6 p.m. Thursday as it hosts Iowa at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The game is being televised live by ESPN. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 847-491-CATS.