Northwestern escapes late push from Chicago State

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) Northwestern narrowly avoided a crushing upset Wednesday night, overcoming a second-half deficit to defeat Chicago State 68-64.

[btn-post-package-v2]

Vic Law led Northwestern (8-2) with 18 points, Sanjay Lumpkin had 11 rebounds and the Wildcats won their fifth straight.

Fred Sims Jr. and Trayvon Palmer led Chicago State (3-7) in scoring with 22 and 18, respectively. They sparked a 15-2 second-half run, and led the Cougars to a 52-50 lead with 8:06 remaining. Northwestern, who at one point led by 14, jumped back ahead 54-52 with 6:07 remaining on Bryant McIntosh's jumper, giving the Wildcats a lead they would not relinquish.

Anthony Eaves' 3-pointer with 46 seconds remaining moved Chicago State within three points, but Northwestern scored on its next possession to secure the victory.

The Cougars converted a season-best 13 3-pointers, and outrebounded Northwestern 40-33.

McIntosh finished with 14 points and seven assists, and Scottie Lindsey scored 13.

Northwestern is 11-0 all-time against Chicago State. The Wildcats set a season-high with 27 3-point attempts.

Northwestern, who ranked among the Big Ten's leaders with a plus-2.4 turnover margin entering the night, held a 12-0 halftime advantage in that category, but was minus-4 in the second half.

BIG PICTURE

Chicago State: The Cougars are in the midst of a 12-game road swing that will take them through the calendar year. The Cougars, who will not return home until Jan. 5, are 1-5 through six games of the trip.

Northwestern: The Wildcats finished their season-long homestand 5-0. The Wildcats, who do not open Big Ten play until Dec. 27 at Penn State, have won their last 19 nonconference home games.

UP NEXT

Chicago State: On the road against DePaul on Saturday.

Northwestern: Will face Dayton in Chicago on Saturday.