FORT MYERS, Fla. — Northwestern put together its best performance of the season en route to a 78-51 win over Bradley in the semifinal of the 2019 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off on Monday night. The Wildcats will meet Pittsburgh on Wednesday in the championship that is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT on FS1 and WGN Radio AM 720.
With the win, the Wildcats improved to 3-2 overall and extended its all-time series lead over the Braves to 9-1.
Pat Spencer led all scorers with a career-high 23 points to go along with a personal-best eight assists. The graduate transfer finished 9-for-12 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep. Miller Kopp and Ryan Young each finished with 13 points, while A.J. Turner chipped in nine points. Kopp extended his double-figuring scoring streak to five games. He is the lone Wildcat to score in double-figures in every game this season.
The Wildcats had an offensive explosion on Monday night with season-highs in points (78), field goals made (30), 3-point field goals (10) and field goal percentage (52.6%; 30-for-57).
Bradley opened up the contest with a 6-0 run that forced a quick timeout from Coach Collins. The Wildcats answered the bell and went off for a 16-2 run following the timeout to pull in front, 16-8, at the 12:18 mark of the first half.
NU put together their best offensive half of the season by converting on a season-best 16 field goals in the first 20 minutes. NU shot 51.6% (16-for-31) from the floor in the first half, while holding Bradley to just 6-for-27 (22.2%). Spencer led all scorers with 12 points, while Kopp was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field to post 11 points.
Northwestern went on to take a 39-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Spencer and Young dominated in the second half. Young scored 11 of his 13 points in the frame and Spencer was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including a 3-for-3 mark from behind the arc.
Northwestern outrebounded the Braves by a 40-26 margin. Anthony Gaines led all rebounders with nine boards.
Wednesday night's contest versus Pitt will be the 19th meeting between the two programs. Northwestern holds a 10-8 advantage in the series.
With the win, the Wildcats improved to 3-2 overall and extended its all-time series lead over the Braves to 9-1.
Pat Spencer led all scorers with a career-high 23 points to go along with a personal-best eight assists. The graduate transfer finished 9-for-12 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep. Miller Kopp and Ryan Young each finished with 13 points, while A.J. Turner chipped in nine points. Kopp extended his double-figuring scoring streak to five games. He is the lone Wildcat to score in double-figures in every game this season.
The Wildcats had an offensive explosion on Monday night with season-highs in points (78), field goals made (30), 3-point field goals (10) and field goal percentage (52.6%; 30-for-57).
Bradley opened up the contest with a 6-0 run that forced a quick timeout from Coach Collins. The Wildcats answered the bell and went off for a 16-2 run following the timeout to pull in front, 16-8, at the 12:18 mark of the first half.
NU put together their best offensive half of the season by converting on a season-best 16 field goals in the first 20 minutes. NU shot 51.6% (16-for-31) from the floor in the first half, while holding Bradley to just 6-for-27 (22.2%). Spencer led all scorers with 12 points, while Kopp was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field to post 11 points.
Northwestern went on to take a 39-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Spencer and Young dominated in the second half. Young scored 11 of his 13 points in the frame and Spencer was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including a 3-for-3 mark from behind the arc.
Northwestern outrebounded the Braves by a 40-26 margin. Anthony Gaines led all rebounders with nine boards.
Wednesday night's contest versus Pitt will be the 19th meeting between the two programs. Northwestern holds a 10-8 advantage in the series.