Surging Northwestern upends No. 15 Indiana, 84-83

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Boo Buie scored 26points and Northwestern beat No. 15 Indiana 84-83 on Sunday for itssecond road victory against a ranked opponent this season.

The Wildcats (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten), who knocked off then-No. 20Michigan State 70-63 on Dec. 4, have won seven of eight games.

“It just shows our toughness,” said Buie, who made 10 of 18shots. “We only have one goal this year, win more games than welose, and we’re just trying to make the NCAA Tournament.”

Chase Audige had 19 points and eight assists for the Wildcats.Robbie Beran and Ty Berry each added 13 points.

“We have a lot of heart,” Northwestern coach Chris Collins said.“We’re not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, we have a lotof limitations, but our guys really battle. They really fight. Andthere’s power when you have a together group.”

Indiana (10-5, 1-3) has lost four of six.

Freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino led the Hoosiers with a career-best33 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including five 3s. TrayceJackson-Davis had 18 points, a career-high 24 rebounds and eightassists.

Hood-Schifino’s 33 points are the most for an Indiana freshmansince Eric Gordon in 2007.

“Obviously he’s one of our best players,” Jackson-Davis said.“We need him to make plays and that’s what he did. He made big shotafter big shot. Props to him because he really helped put the teamon his back when we needed scoring.”

Indiana coach Mike Woodson said his team has been outworked inthe last two losses.

“It’s my job to get ’em to play harder,” Woodson said. “And thatmight cure a lot of problems when you’re struggling.”

Indiana had 16 turnovers, nine more than Northwestern, and thevisitors enjoyed a 25-6 scoring edge off turnovers.

“Our ability to get 25 points off the turnovers was a huge statto the game,” Collins said. “They weren’t able to get their defenseset and we were able to attack in transition and get some easy(baskets).”

Northwestern hit 10 of its first 14 shots to seize the earlylead, was ahead by as many as 17 points in the first half andrelied upon superior depth to stay ahead by double digits for muchof the second half until the final minutes.

“We come into these atmospheres ready to go, right from thejump, and throw that first punch,” Buie said.

BIG PICTURE

Northwestern: After five consecutive losing seasons, theWildcats returned four starters for a third consecutive year andappear poised to make the NCAA Tournament. Collins’ team is worthyof being ranked.

Indiana: Hood-Schifino has been an excellent alternative toinjured senior Xavier Johnson, but the Hoosiers are hurting withoutsenior Race Thompson, who suffered a knee injury in the previousgame and like Johnson is out indefinitely. Jackson-Davis andHood-Schifino need more help from others.

UP NEXT

Northwestern: Hosts Rutgers on Wednesday.

Indiana: Visits Penn State on Wednesday.