Kendrick Nunn Scores Career-High 25 Points in 72-67 Win Over Northwestern
Kendrick Nunn gets a rebound against Northwestern. Rob McColley
After a month of poor marksmanship, the Illini men got sharpshooting performances from both Kendrick Nunn and Aaron Cosby last night en route to a 72-67 win over Northwestern in Evanston.
Nunn connected on 4-of-7 three-pointers, leading all scorers with a career-high 25 points. Cosby was 4-of-8 from the arc. He finished with 19.
Coach John Groce said he could sense the team's improvement.
"I think we’ve probably our best over the last week and a half. I know we didn’t shoot it particularly well at Nebraska but our defense was pretty good at Maryland and Nebraska and I think it had an impact on the game. And then today I just thought both teams were good offensively; again I think it was a high level game,” said Groce
As a team, the Illini managed only 42-percent from the floor, and just 33-percent from the three-point line. But the Illini committed no live-ball turnovers, and finished with only three total turnovers. They converted 12-of-14 free throws, including six in the last seven seconds, to seal the win.
The Illini return to action Sunday at home against the Indiana Hoosiers. That game tips at noon, central.