NU makes a statement in win over Texas State

Northwestern countered an apparent emphatic closing statement by Texas State with an overwhelming response of its own Monday night.

Dave Sobolewski scored 18 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:45 left to give the Wildcats the lead for good, and Northwestern closed the game on a 12-0 run to defeat the visiting Bobcats 74-68.

“So you outscore them 12-0, is it the defense or the offense?” Northwestern coach Bill Carmody said. “(Texas State) had a couple of turnovers, and that was important, but I think our guys recognized that they were back in the game after being down by 6.”

When Texas State’s Corey Stern slammed in a dunk with 3:31 left, he gave the Bobcats a 68-62 lead. But he also was hit with a technical foul for hanging on the rim. Northwestern’s Jared Swopshire made only 1 of the 2 ensuing free throws, but Reggie Hearn and Sobolewski then hit 2 free throws each to cut it to 68-67.

After Sobolewski connected on his jump shot to put Northwestern (8-3) ahead 70-68, free throws by Alex Marcotullio, Sobolewski and Swopshire completed the scoring.

“(The technical) obviously started the 12-0 run, so that was huge for us,” Sobolewski said. “Just knowing we had a chance to get 2 (points) and another possession afterward was a nice mental boost for our group.”

Hearn finished with 15 points and Tre Demps, who left late in the game with a sprained ankle, added 12.

The Wildcats were cold from the floor for the second straight game, shooting just 43 percent. Northwestern endured a long drought in the second half when Texas State (4-7) seemed to take charge.

But then came the late heroics in a scrappy game where fouls and free throws played a role. Texas State went 13 of 15 from the line and Northwestern shot 14 of 25.

“I thought we were getting decent shots even though they weren’t falling,” Sobolewski said.