TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – Northwestern overcame a 15-point deficit in the first half and fought back to grab a second half lead, but a shot at the horn that would have forced overtime did not fall in a 71-69 setback to Butler at the Arizona Tip-Off on Thursday evening.
Ty Berry hit a 3 and then stole a pass that led to a layup by Jalen Leach 2 seconds later that gave Northwestern a one-point lead — its first since 6-4 — at 53-52 with 6 1/2 minutes to play. Jahmyl Telfort put the Bulldogs back in front when he made two free throws, Finley Bizjack added a 3-pointer about a minute later and Butler led the rest of the way.
Brooks Barnhizer made a layup and two foul shots just 6 seconds apart to make it 63-62 but Patrick McCaffrey, who finished with 10 points, hit two free throws with 9 seconds left and Butler held on from there.
Barnhizer led the Wildcats with 24 points and Matthew Nicholson scored 14. The graduate student went a career-best 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
Northwestern made just two of its first 15 shots and hit 9 of 29 (31%) in the first half.
Ty Berry hit a 3 and then stole a pass that led to a layup by Jalen Leach 2 seconds later that gave Northwestern a one-point lead — its first since 6-4 — at 53-52 with 6 1/2 minutes to play. Jahmyl Telfort put the Bulldogs back in front when he made two free throws, Finley Bizjack added a 3-pointer about a minute later and Butler led the rest of the way.
Brooks Barnhizer made a layup and two foul shots just 6 seconds apart to make it 63-62 but Patrick McCaffrey, who finished with 10 points, hit two free throws with 9 seconds left and Butler held on from there.
Barnhizer led the Wildcats with 24 points and Matthew Nicholson scored 14. The graduate student went a career-best 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
Northwestern made just two of its first 15 shots and hit 9 of 29 (31%) in the first half.