Tip-off

After a three-game losing streak and an eight-day break for finals, Northwestern got back in the win column with what was easily its most impressive performance of the season.

The Wildcats (6-3) delivered a 101-49 beat down of the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (1-8), marking the highest offensive output for NU during the Chris Collins era. Five Cats ended the game with double-digit point totals, while the Delta Devils sported only one such player.

It all happened for NU without ailing senior guard JerShon Cobb, who was ruled out of the game with a foot injury before tip-off.

The team hardly felt his absence. Junior center Alex Olah led the way with 10 rebounds and a game-high 17 points. His sidekick, sophomore forward Nathan Taphorn, came off the bench to score 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

After being held out of the starting five against Butler, freshman guard Bryant McIntosh and freshman forward Vic Law both returned to the lineup with great results. McIntosh put up 15 points and dished six assists, and Law added 11 points of his own.

With the contest well in hand throughout, NU took the opportunity to electrify the Welsh-Ryan Arena crowd with some dazzling dunks. Usual suspects Law and Olah both crushed the rim, and junior guard Tre Demps made an appearance on the highlight reel with a high-flying slam in the first half.

Collins could do no wrong with his lineup combinations, ultimately inserting all 12 of his healthy players. That included freshman walk-on forward Nick Segura, who saw his first action of the season in the final minute of the game.

The Cats have four more non-conference games remaining in their home stand before they travel to Rutgers on Dec. 30 to begin Big Ten play.

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