Sept. 1, 2010
WATCH: Game Highlights and Interview with Bill Carmody
PERUGIA, Italy - Follow along as NUsports.com blogs live throughout the Northwestern men's basketball team's second game of its Italy tour. The Wildcats take on Liomatic Perugia from Perugia, Italy, with tip time set for 11 a.m. Central time.
5:34 p.m.
We're about 30 minutes from tipoff as the Wildcats shoot for their second win in as many games after defeating AB Latina 67-61 Monday evening. The team made the bus trip from Rome to Perugia this morning and stopped for lunch before heading over to the arena. Palasport (the arena) is larger than the arena the Wildcats played in Monday evening and seats somewhere around 4,000 spectators. It's nice to see Mike Capocci's family in attendance today as they join Davide Curletti's parents and sister who also attended Monday's game.
5:44 p.m.
Liomatic Perugia plays in Italy's B-1 league and went 17-11 a year ago and lost in the league's semifinal round. Northwestern is switching up its starting lineup from the other night as JerShon Cobb and Davide Curletti will get the start alongside Michael Thompson, Drew Crawford and John Shurna this evening.
6:04 p.m.
The national anthems for both countries have been played and gifts were exchanged and now we're just about set for tip-off. The referees look like Creamsicles with their light orange colored jerseys. Nice little crowd on hand; about 200 people or so.
6:08 p.m.
Good start for the Wildcats. Shurna makes two free throws and then hits a trey; 5-0 'Cats just over two minutes in.
6:13 p.m.
Drew Crawford picks up two early fouls and is replaced by Nick Fruendt. Wildcats trail 9-8 with 5:30 remaining in the first quarter. A reminder that we're playing four 10-minute quarters.
6:17 p.m.
Northwestern surges in front 13-9 following a 3-pointer by Juice and a fast-break layup by Alex Marcotullio. In case you're wondering, the weather has been terrific here. Temperature is in the low 80's (that Fahrenheit, not Celsius).
6:22 p.m.
After having an off night on Monday, Juice has the hot hand so far today. He had only 7 points on Monday, but had 9 in the first quarter as the Wildcats closed the quarter on an 18-4 run to surge in front 25-13.
6:26 p.m.
Northwestern starts the second quarter with Thompson, Marcotullio, Fruendt, Peljusic and Curletti on the floor. Juice bangs another trey to start the quarter to give him 12 points for the game.
6:33 p.m.
A few hometown calls have gone against the Wildcats, but that's to be expected. Six straight points by the hosts have cut NU's advantage to 32-21 with 6:20 to go second quarter. Crawford and Capocci have two fouls apiece for Northwestern.
6:37 p.m.
Liomatic Perugia extends pressure defensively and Mirkovic feeds Shurna going backdoor for a huge slam that draws cheers from those in attendance. Juice then nails his fourth 3-pointer of the game to put the Wildcats up 37-24 with 5 minutes left in the half.
6:48 p.m.
Northwestern is outscored 12-3 to end the second quarter and takes a 40-34 advantage into the intermission. Thompson is the team's leading scorer with 15 points, with Marcotullio and Shurna adding 8 and 7, respectively. Wildcats shoot 14-for-32 from the field, including 8-for-19 from 3-point range.
6:56 p.m.
NU holds a 23-12 advantage on the boards, but has 11 turnovers to just 3 for Liomatic Perugia. The Wildcats had 22 turnovers on Monday night. In case you didn't know, we're playing with a 24-second shot clock as opposed to the 35-second clock used in the college game.
7:06 p.m.
As was the case Monday night, Beth Cunningham and Lanny Bradford are doing a tremendous job keeping stats tonight. They might have a future in this profession.
7:13 p.m.
The start of the third quarter is being delayed due to an injury to one of the two officials. The Wildcats will be heading to Florence after tonight's game. They're slated to do a sightseeing tour tomorrow. They'll wrap up their game schedule with contests on Saturday and Sunday.
7:20 p.m.
Three early 3-pointers (two by Shurna and one by Thompson) have helped the Wildcats extend their lead to 51-40 with 6 minutes left in the third quarter.
7:29 p.m.
Shurna has the hot hand. He has hit on all four of his 3-point attempts in the third quarter and has 19 points for the game as the Wildcats lead 60-49 with 1:18 remaining in the period.
7:36 p.m.
A jumper by Nick Fruendt to end the quarter gives Northwestern a 64-54 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of play. The hosts have really extended their defense, leading to some backdoor opportunities.
7:41 p.m.
The officiating really leaves something to be desired. After Northwestern was called for steps numerous times on Monday night, Liomatic Perugia is traveling all over the place tonight and nothing is being called.
7:46 p.m.
Five straight points by Crawford and then Capocci dunks on a Liomatic player's head off a fastbreak alley-oop feed from Juice to give the 'Cats a 78-62 lead with 5:56 left.
7:52 p.m.
Shurna drives baseline for his second slam of the game before Crawford drills a triple to extend the Northwestern lead to 83-68. Things get a little chippy then as a Liomatic player takes a cheap shot at Davide Curletti. 3:33 remaining.
8:01 p.m.
This one has gone final with Northwestern posting an 89-74 win over Liomatic Perugia. John Shurna leads the way, scoring 20 of his 27 points in the second half, including going 6-for-6 from 3-point range after the break. Final totals to come.
8:23 p.m.
Northwestern
Thompson 7-12 3-4 22, Crawford 4-9 1-2 11, Cobb 2-10 0-0 4, Shurna 9-11 2-2 27, Curletti 2-4 3-4 8, Capocci 1-1 2-2 4, Marcotullio 3-7 0-0 8, Hearn 0-2 0-0 0, Fruendt 2-2 0-0 4, Mirkovic 0-2 0-0 0, Peljusic 0-0 1-2 1. Team totals: 30-61 12-16 89
Liomatic Perugia
Team totals: 27-67 15-20 74
Rebounding: NU - 41 (Shurna 9, Cobb 7, Crawford 5, Fruendt 4, Curletti 3, Mirkovic 3, Thompson 3, Capocci 2, Marcotullio 2, Peljusic 1, Team 2. Liomatic Perugia - 24.
Assists: NU - 21 (Thompson 5, Crawford 3, Shurna 2, Curletti 2, Marcotullio 2, Mirkovic 2, Cobb 2, Fruendt 1, Peljusic 1, Capocci 1, Liomatic Perugia - 10.
Steals: NU - 6 (Capocci 2, Hearn 1, Mirkovic 1, Thompson 1, Curletti 1).
Blocks: NU - 1 (Shurna), Liomatic Perugia - 0.
Turnovers: NU - 23, Liomatic Perugia - 9.
Be sure to check back later today for highlights and a postgame interview with head coach Bill Carmody.