CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Reggie Hearn scored 20 points and Northwestern built an early lead using 3-point shooting to hand No. 23 Illinois its third straight loss, 68-54 on Thursday night.
Illinois has lost 5 of 7 after starting 12-0.
The Wildcats (11-7, 2-3 Big Ten) were 8 of 15 from 3-point range but hit 5 of those shots in the first half to build a 36-21 lead.
The cold-shooting Illini (14-5, 1-4) closed within 48-39 on a free throw by Brandon Paul with 4:36 to play. Illinois would get no closer.
Jared Swopshire had 12 points and six rebounds for Northwestern, while Alex Marcotullio scored 12 points and Dave Sobolewski added 10.
Paul had 21 points for Illinois, which shot 38% from the field, including 15% from 3-point range.
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Friday, March 22 2013 10:58 PM EDT2013-03-23 02:58:05 GMT
Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson made consecutive 3-pointers to give Illinois the lead with 6 minutes left and the seventh-seeded Illini pulled out a tough 57-49 win over Colorado.
Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson made consecutive 3-pointers to give Illinois the lead with 6 minutes left and the seventh-seeded Illini pulled out a tough 57-49 win over Colorado.
Sunday, April 28 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-04-28 21:27:09 GMT
The Big Ten conference is going with "East" and "West" instead and switching to a nine-game scheduling format after presidents and chancellors approved the moves on Sunday.
The Big Ten conference is going with "East" and "West" instead and switching to a nine-game scheduling format after presidents and chancellors approved the moves on Sunday.
Wednesday, March 27 2013 11:28 PM EDT2013-03-28 03:28:13 GMT
Northwestern hired longtime Duke assistant Chris Collins as its basketball coach Tuesday night, hoping he can finally lead the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament.
Northwestern hired longtime Duke assistant Chris Collins as its basketball coach Tuesday night, hoping he can finally lead the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament.
Sunday, April 28 2013 5:27 PM EDT2013-04-28 21:27:09 GMT
The Big Ten conference is going with "East" and "West" instead and switching to a nine-game scheduling format after presidents and chancellors approved the moves on Sunday.
The Big Ten conference is going with "East" and "West" instead and switching to a nine-game scheduling format after presidents and chancellors approved the moves on Sunday.
Thursday, March 7 2013 4:40 PM EST2013-03-07 21:40:38 GMT
Morgan Johnson and Jamie Printy scored 18 points apiece and Iowa defeated Northwestern 60-55 on Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten women's tournament.
Morgan Johnson and Jamie Printy scored 18 points apiece and Iowa defeated Northwestern 60-55 on Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten women's tournament.
