EVANSTON, Ill. – Double-figure scoring games from Chase Walker and Ty'Reek Coleman were not able to overcome a hot-shooting Northwestern team in each school's final exhibition game of the season, with the Wildcats winning 100-65 on Wednesday evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds and Wildcats battled back and forth through the open of the first half, as the teams were tied at 18 with 9:33 to play in the first half; however, Northwestern scored 13 of the next 17 points to stretch to a nine-point advantage. The NU lead grew to as many as 10 points at 36-26, as the Redbirds were able to trim the deficit to seven at 41-34 at the break.
Northwestern used an early 9-0 run in the second half, and the Redbirds would not lead again in the loss.
KEY STATISTICS
- The exhibition game is the first of a home-and-home exhibition series between Illinois State and Northwestern, with the teams meeting next season in an exhibition in Normal, Illinois
- The game was the second of two preseason exhibition games against Big 10 schools – both on the road
- The Redbirds opened with the starting lineup of #0 Jack Daugherty, #11 Johnny Kinziger, #14 Boden Skunberg, #22 Ty Pence, and #35 Chase Walker
- Northwestern won the opening tip
- Illinois State's first subs were Brandon Lieb, Ty'Reek Coleman, and Landon Moore with 15:53 remaining on the first half clock
- Northwestern led 41-34 at halftime
- Walker reached double-figure scoring with 13 points, 11 of which came in the first half
- He dished out a team-high four assists and pulled down a team-best five rebounds
- Coleman scored 12 points, making 3-of-6 shots from the field, 1-of-2 from long range, and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line
- Johnny Kinziger and Boden Skunberg each scored nine points, while Skunberg pulled down five rebounds, which are tied for the team-high
- 10 players reached the scoring column for ISU
NEXT UP
The opening of the regular season awaits ISU, as the Redbirds travel to Athens, Ohio, on November 6 in a 6 p.m. (CT) tip-off, while the team's home opener comes three days later, on November 9, against Cornell.
