Rapid Recap: Northwestern 84, No. 15 Indiana 83
Daily file photo by Chirag Bachani
Ty Berry attempts a three pointer. Berry finished Sunday’s victory over Indiana with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
January 8, 2023
BLOOMINGTON, IN — After a hard fought victory against in-state rival Illinois on Wednesday, Northwestern (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) continued its winning ways, cruising to a 84-83 victory over No. 15 Indiana (10-5, 1-3 Big Ten) in Bloomington.
The Wildcats started off hot offensively, scoring 30 points in the first ten minutes of the game and shooting nearly 70 percent from beyond the arc. Robbie Beran ignited NU’s offense early, scoring the ‘Cats first five out of seven points. Silencing a roaring Indiana crowd, NU held a commanding 32-17 lead by the 8 minute media timeout.
Northwestern’s hot start was not sustainable for most of the remaining first half, however. The Hoosiers quickly went on a 10-0 run to cut NU’s lead to 7. The ‘Cats ended up scoring merely nine points over the remaining eight minutes of the first half but still held onto a seven point advantage at the intermission.
A contested, driving layup by senior guard Boo Buie extended the Wildcats lead 57-43 nearly midway through the second half. A 8-3 Hoosiers run over the next couple of minutes and a 17-5 run over the remaining three minutes of the game did not make matters easy for the ‘Cats. Nevertheless, Buie continued to produce when NU needed him the most, leading the team with 26 points.
Takeaways:
1. Chase Audige felt very generous Sunday
To say Chase Audige was setting up the Wildcats offensively would be an understatement. The New York native led the Cats offense early, setting up his teammates with open three pointers and open dunks. Audige’s first two assists were courtesy of cross court passes to corner threes by junior Ty Berry, which propelled the ‘Cats to an early 19-9 advantage.
The Wildcats continued ticking the scoreboard with threes from senior forward Robbie Beran and sophomore guard Brooks Barnhizer who were set up from excellent transition passes by Audige.
Having not recorded an assist on Wednesday’s victory over Illinois, Audige already had 7 assists, his highest number in a single half this season. By the end of Sunday’s contest, the red shirt senior had 8 assists.
2. Northwestern continues to turn defense into offense
It has not been a secret that the defensive end has been Northwestern’s calling card this season. Entering Sunday’s contest, the Cats defense ranked sixth best nationally, according to Pomeroy’s 2023 college basketball rankings.
While the Cats’ 34 points allowed in the first half was relatively high compared to contests prior, it was the points generated on offense that came from the defensive end. Following a steal and fast break layup by Buie and a steal and monster slam by Audige, the ‘Cats were able to keep the scoring flowing, when shots were not falling from deep.
By the end of Sunday’s victory, Northwestern scored 25 points off turnovers and forced 16 turnovers.
3. The Wildcats continue to receive offensive contributions from multiple players
A major factor for Northwestern’s recent success has been its ability to obtain production from a variety of players. In Wednesday’s victory, the ‘Cats had three double digit scorers, leading to a much better offensive effort than against Ohio State on Sunday.
On Sunday, the ‘Cats scoring continued to be spread out. By the end of the first half, NU had four players with eight or more points, leading the ‘Cats to 41 first half points. This combined effort on the offensive side enabled Northwestern to have its second consecutive forty plus point half, after having scored 42 points in the second half of Wednesday’s contest.
Continued contributions from multiple players on the offensive side will determine Northwestern’s faith over the coming months. With the ‘Cats being elite on the defensive side all season, it is now time for the offensive side to match its level.
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—Rapid Recap: Northwestern 73, Illinois 60
