Jan. 26, 2011
Site: Minneapolis, Minn. (Williams Arena)
Score: Minnesota 81, Northwestern 70
Records: NU (13-7, 3-6 Big Ten), Minnesota (16-4, 5-3 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Saturday -- vs. No. 1 Ohio State (Welsh-Ryan Arena), 5 p.m.
Tickets: Limited obstructed view and standing-room tickets remain and can be ordered at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Northwestern was unable to overcome an early second-half surge by No. 16 Minnesota Wednesday night as the Wildcats dropped an 81-70 decision at Williams Arena. Michael Thompson led NU with 18 points.
Northwestern started the game ice-cold from the field as it dug itself an early deficit. The much taller Gophers gave the Wildcats fits as the visitors connected on only two of their first 15 field goal attempts to start the game.
NU was able to contain Minnesota enough on the defensive end to remain within seven points midway through the half. The hosts eventually stretched their lead out to 29-16 with five and a half minutes to go in the stanza.
However, the switch to the 1-3-1 zone on the defensive end helped NU slow down the hosts and got the Wildcats' offense going on the other end. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Drew Crawford made it a seven-point game and got Northwestern right back in the contest.
In all, NU closed the period on an 18-4 run as Alex Marcotullio capped the surge with a 3-pointer from the right wing in the closing seconds as the Wildcats took a 34-33 lead into the intermission.
Marcotullio started the second half with another triple to increase the Northwestern lead to four before Minnesota began to use its size to its advantage. After going scoreless in the first half, Colton Iverson scored 11 points in the opening five minutes of the second period to put Minnesota up 50-42.
The Gophers would eventually push their lead to 11 with seven minutes to go before Northwestern made one final push. Marcotullio capped a 7-2 run to get the Wildcats within 66-60 with 5:30 remaining, but that's as close as they would get.
Minnesota used a huge free throw disparity to its advantage down the stretch to seal the win. The hosts went 24-for-35 from the charity stripe over the final 20 minutes of play to just 2-for-2 for NU.
John Shurna contributed 16 points for the Wildcats, while Crawford added 15. Despite being at a large size disadvantage, Northwestern was only out-rebounded 36-35 in the contest. Blake Hoffarber led Minnesota with 20 points, while Trevor Mbakwe added 18.
Northwestern returns to action at 5 p.m. Saturday as it hosts top-ranked Ohio State at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Limited obstructed view and standing-room tickets remain and can be ordered at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook! and subscribe to the NU Sports Express e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!