November 23, 2002

 

MEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL SCORE: DePAUL 63, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 48

 

Box Score

DeKALB, IL - When the Northern Illinois University men's basketball team closed Chick Evans Field House on February 23, 2002, the Huskies gave the building one final victory. Exactly nine months later, Northern Illinois opened the $35.8-million Convocation Center looking to repeat "The Last Hurrah's" success. Unfortunately DePaul University had other ideas as the Blue Demons defeated the Huskies 63-48 on Saturday (November 23).

 

After starting the season last weekend with a victory over Winthrop University, Northern Illinois has dropped its last two contests for a 1-2 record. DePaul picks up a win in its season opener and the first game under first-year head coach Dave Leitao.

 

"We're disappointed with the outcome, particularly a streak in the second half," NIU floor boss Rob Judson said. "I thought DePaul's defense was very good. Their zone gave us troubles."

 

The Blue Demons' defense made the difference as the Huskies shot 33.3 percent (16-of-48) from the floor, compared to 49 percent (22-for-49) by the visitors. DePaul's zone defense dared Northern Illinois to shoot from the outside as NIU got off 25 shots from behind the arc, but could only convert seven for a 28.0 percent shooting percentage.

 

At the other end of the floor, the Blue Demons fed the ball inside, using their height advantage. DePaul started three players 6-foot-7 over taller, while NIU could only counter with 6-foot-7 freshman forward Rome Sanders (Chicago / Curie) in the starting five. The Blue Demons controlled the inside, holding a 28-16 edge in points in the paint, while outrebounding NIU 45-29. Thirteen of DU's rebounds came on the offensive glass, leading to 16 second-chance points.

 

With DePaul's defense keeping the ball out of the paint, the Huskies had to rely on their outside shooting. Thirty-one of the Northern Illinois' 48 points (65 percent) came from the guards, led by junior P.J. Smith (Maywood / Proviso East) with a team-high 13 points. Classmate Al Sewasciuk (Summit / Argo) added eight points as the duo nailed six of the Huskies' seven three-pointers with Smith hitting four and Sewasciuk adding a pair

 

Four of the Blue Demons' starting five reached double figures with forward Delonte Hollond topping the team at 16 points. Center Sam Hoskin turned in a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Northern Illinois was led on the boards by forward Marcus Smallwood (Elgin) as he collected eight while adding seven points and four blocked shots.

 

On a night of firsts, it was the 6-foot-6 Smallwood that scored the men's first point in the Convocation Center. At the 19:23 mark of the first half, the junior nailed his first free throw to give NIU a 1-0 advantage. The Huskies' first basket was scored by Sanders when he laid the ball in with 17:58 remaining.

 

Unfortunately that field goal gave NIU one of only five leads on the night. A three-pointer by Smith and a Smallwood lay-up keyed a 5-0 Huskie run to give NIU a 13-10 advantage with 14:56 remaining. Northern Illinois would get only one more basket in the next 11 minutes as DePaul went on a 12-2 to run before closing out the half up 30-15. The Huskies shot just 25 percent (5-fo-20) in the opening 20 minutes.

 

"We didn't shoot the ball very well tonight," Judson added. "We couldn't make shots then we made some bad decisions when we tired to force it. Coach Leitao has done a great job coaching strong defense."

 

Trying to rally in the second half, the Huskies went to the air as they nailed a four three pointers in the first five minutes of the second stanza. A three-ball by Sewasciuk at the 15:36 mark pulled Northern Illinois within eight (39-31), but DePaul answered with a 5-0 run to get the lead back into double digits. The margin never went under 13 points the rest of the night and got as high as 24 (61-37) on a free throw by Hollond.

 

The Huskies will try to get their first victory in the Convocation Center when they take on Loyola University-Chicago at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday (November 27).

 

--Copy by Michael Smoose

 

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