Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
0-4
Northwestern
3-3
Northwestern Holds off Late Bison Charge, Prevails 69-61
12/3/2003 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern overcame a career night from freshman center Chris McNaughton and held off Bucknell 69-61 on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats sprinted to a big early lead and had to hold off a furious Bison charge in the second half, but Northwestern prevailed behind 20 points and 12 rebounds from senior Jitim Young.
McNaughton continued a brilliant start to his rookie season, making 9 of 10 field-goal attempts and 4 of 4 from the line en route to a career-high 22 points. The current Patriot League Freshman of the Week is now 20-for-24 from the field this season.
Facing a tough schedule to start the season, including two road games against teams from the Big Ten, the Bison fell to 0-4. Northwestern improved to 3-3.
The Wildcats never trailed in the game and raced to a quick 13-2 lead before John Clark made Bucknell's first field goal, a 3-pointer 6:36 into the contest. T.J. Parker keyed the early surge with three inside baskets.
Young's steal and layup at the seven-minute mark gave Northwestern its largest lead of the half at 32-16. Bucknell closed the half on a 12-5 run to pull within 37-28 after McNaughton scored three times inside, Donald Brown converted a three-point play and Chris Niesz beat the buzzer with a 28-foot 3-pointer.
A 9-2 run highlighted by 3-pointers from Kevin Bettencourt and Roland Webber and a 3-point play by McNaughton brought the Bison within five points at 44-39 with 13:07 to play.
Northwestern quickly responded with six straight points to go back up 50-39, but Clark and Bettencourt both drained treys to keep it a six-point game inside nine minutes to play.
The Wildcats finally took control with a 10-0 run over a four-minute span, with Davor Duvancic's driving layup making it 63-47 with 5:17 left. Bucknell finished the game on a 9-1 run, with Chicago native Abe Badmus thrilling his large hometown cheering section with a driving layup in the final minute to make it a single-digit margin.
Bettencourt finished with 11 points, and Donald Brown came off the bench for seven points for the Bison. Bucknell outrebounded Northwestern 36-25 and finished a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.
Young, a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season, added six assists and five steals without a turnover, in addition to his double-double. Parker had 14 points and Evan Seacat hit three straight 3-pointers in the first half for nine points. Northwestern shot 53.8 percent from the field, compared to Bucknell's 41.5 percent.
The Bison hit the road again this weekend, facing Saint Francis (Pa.) on Saturday at 7 p.m.
