Northwestern had a minute left in its exhibition game against the University of Chicago, trying to stop a late rally that had cut its lead to nine. In their first action of the new season, the new Wildcats displayed all their abilities.

Coach Bill Carmody drew up a lob play during a 30-second timeout, which two freshmen executed perfectly.

Freshman guard Michael Thompson passed the ball from the sideline and freshman Mike Capocci showed his leaping ability, making a tip-in and drawing a foul to put the game away.

NU held off the late rally and won its exhibition game against the University of Chicago, 84-76.

“We were trying some different combinations and we went small an awful lot of the game,” Carmody said. “Even when we go big, we’re small. I thought we had a nice stretch at the beginning and got the lead and maintained it throughout the game.”

The Cats started slow, but took the lead midway through the first half. The Maroons were able to close the gap to eight at halftime. But once the teams came out from the locker rooms, NU took control of the game for good.

NU was able to extend its first-half lead to 19 points midway through the second half. But the University of Chicago did not go away. The Maroons cut the lead to as little as eight multiple times.

“We didn’t make many shots and we just had a couple periods in the beginning where we weren’t in the flow,” Capocci said. “Once we got into it, we were a lot better team. We moved the ball around better and we started making shots.”

NU was able to outpace the University of Chicago by shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 9 of 23 from beyond the arc en route to the 84-point outburst. Last year’s team reached 80 points once all season.

Capocci led NU with 18 points – 13 in the second half – and grabbed nine rebounds. Thompson had 14 points and five assists. Junior guard Sterling Williams scored 16 points and had eight rebounds. Senior guard Jason Okrzesik added 15 points.

The Cats turned the ball over only seven times.

Carmody said the team was trying to get the ball up the court and get into the offense quickly. He said Thompson’s style of play helped the team push the pace a little bit. The Cats got six fastbreak points, but pushed the pace and were able to score.

“When (Thompson) starts the offense, he’s very quick with the ball,” junior guard Craig Moore said. “When he throws it up and gets the offense started quick, it gets everybody going. He sparked us with the points and then all of a sudden he got five assists real quick. So he did a great job.”

Rebounding was a big concern for NU entering this season, with no true post player on the roster. The Cats outrebounded the Maroons 37-33, including grabbed 14 offensive boards, but still were hurt inside.

“We’re small and that center position is the thing that’s going to be rough because we play against bigger teams than (the University of) Chicago,” Carmody said. “When they got the ball in the post, they scored on us. Just because you get it in there doesn’t mean they should score.”

Forward Nate Hainje scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the University of Chicago. He was one of four Maroons players to score in double figures.

Moore said the offense is coming along well, but the team needs to get more defensive practice to be prepared for the upcoming season.

“We need to work on being physical in the post, rebounding more and getting easier baskets,” Thompson said.

With No. 23 Stanford coming to Welsh-Ryan Arena to open the regular season next Thursday, the Cats have plenty to work on before the games count.

Reach Philip Rossman-Reich at [email protected].