NU rolls over FDU
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Eleven different Wildcats found the scoring column as Northwestern opened up 27-point halftime lead and rolled to an 80-53 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Reggie Hearn led NU with 14 points - all in the first half - while Alex Olah contributed 10 points and nine rebounds in just 16 minutes of action. Alex Marcotullio and Kale Abrahamson contributed nine points apiece off the bench.
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Hearn got off to a fast start as he connected on back-to-back 3-point attempts to start the game. A lay-in by Olah increased NU's advantage to 8-2 two minutes into the contest.
The lead was 8-5 when Northwestern rattled off 23 of the game's next 29 points to increase the edge to 31-11. The 'Cats took a 41-14 lead into the intermission.
Hearn didn't miss in the opening half, hitting all four of his field goal tries and all four of his free throw attempts. Olah used his size advantage to his benefit, posting six points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots before the break.
For the second time in three games to open the season, the Wildcats allowed just 14 first-half points. After holding Texas Southern to 14 in Tuesday's season-opener, NU limited the Knights to the same total as the guests made just six of their 28 field goal attempts over the opening 20 minutes of play.
Northwestern got solid contributions across the board as the lead grew to as many as 36, 60-24, just over eight minutes into the second stanza.
The 'Cats boasted a 50-34 advantage on the boards, including hauling in 15 offensive caroms, and held a 46-26 edge in points in the paint. Mike Turner handed out a team-high five assists as Northwestern dished out 24 helpers as a team.
Northwestern is back in at action at 7 p.m. Tuesday when it hosts Delaware State. For tickets, visit NUsports.com or call 888-GO-PURPLE.