Jan. 22, 2012
Site: Minneapolis, Minn. (Williams Arena)
Score: Minnesota 75, Northwestern 52
Records: NU (12-7, 2-5 Big Ten), Minnesota (15-5, 3-4 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Saturday, Jan. 28 -- vs. Purdue (Welsh-Ryan Arena), 3 p.m.
Tickets: Available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE
MINNEAPOLIS -- Northwestern was unable to overcome a slow start as the Wildcats dropped a 75-52 decision to Minnesota Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena.
John Shurna led Northwestern with 21 points, while Alex Marcotullio added 11.
The Golden Gophers scored the first 11 points of the contest and NU missed its first 14 field goal attempts as the Wildcats dug themselves too steep of a deficit to overcome.
Northwestern was unable to get on the scoreboard until Davide Curletti scored on a layup with 12:14 remaining in the opening half to make it 11-2. The advantage would grow to 21-4 before Shurna finally got on the board with a three-point play with 8:36 left.
The Wildcats' trailed by as many as 22 points in the opening stanza. A 10-3 run capped by a lay-in by Curletti with under a half-minute left got NU back to within 39-24 before Andre Hollins hit a basket just prior to the halftime buzzer for Minnesota.
A 3-pointer by Reggie Hearn to start the second period got the 'Cats back to within shouting range at 41-27. However, Minnesota would push the lead back to 22 with 11:42 remaining.
Behind seven points from Shurna and five by Marcotullio, Northwestern went on a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 60-46 with 7:43 left. Six straight points by the hosts removed any further chance of a comeback.
Minnesota shot 57.7 percent (30-52) from the field in the contest to 32.7 percent (18-55) for the Wildcats. Curletti established a career high with seven rebounds to go along with seven points.
Northwestern returns to action at 3 p.m. Saturday as it hosts Purdue at Welsh-Ryan Arena. To purchase tickets, please visit NUsports.com or call 888-GO-PURPLE.
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