Northwestern routs MVSU 78-48 behind Olah

Posted December 15, 2015 6:00 am

By BRIAN SANDALOW

Mississippi Valley State's Marcus Romain (1), goes up for a shot against Northwestern's Alex Olah, (22), and Sanjay Lumpkin (34), during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Evanston, Ill. ( AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Alex Olah scored 21 points and had 11 rebounds to lead Northwestern to a 78-48 win over Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday.

Bryant McIntosh added 14 and Tre Demps had 13 for the Wildcats, who have won six straight and received three votes in this week's Top 25 poll. Northwestern improved to 9-1 for its best 10-game start since the 2011-12 season, when the Wildcats also started 9-1.

Olah scored 16 of his points in the first half while making all six of his attempts during the opening period. He scored 11 of the Wildcats' first 15 points, sending him to his second productive offensive game in the last three.

Against Southern Illinois Edwardsville on Dec. 5, Olah produced 21 points before scoring just nine against Chicago State on Sunday. He hit eight of 11 shots Tuesday in his second double-double of the season and 10th of his career.

The Wildcats took control in the first 20 minutes, and a two-handed dunk by Olah with 8:45 left in the half gave Northwestern a 26-15 lead and their first double-digit advantage. Northwestern led 37-27 at halftime and never trailed.

Nathan Taphorn's basket with 7:17 left in the second half increased Northwestern's lead to 64-44.

Marcus Romain scored 14 and Isaac Williams added 11 for MVSU, which plays its first 14 games away from home. The Delta Devils (0-12) don't host a game until Jan. 4, when they face Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

MVSU lost by a double-digit margin for the third straight time and the fifth time in six games. The Delta Devils were just 20 of 69 from the floor.

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TIP-INS

Mississippi Valley State: The Delta Devils are one of two winless teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, along with 0-9 Prairie View A&M. . MVSU was playing its second Big Ten foe of the season, following a 97-51 loss on Nov. 14 at Nebraska.

Northwestern: The Wildcats improved to 6-1 all-time against MVSU. . Northwestern entered Tuesday's game leading the Big Ten with 10.4 3-pointers per game.

UP NEXT

Mississippi Valley State plays Thursday at Texas State.

Northwestern plays Saturday at DePaul.

Mississippi Valley State's Isaac Williams (24), drives around Northwestern's Bryant McIntosh (30), during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Evanston, Ill. ( AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

Northwestern's Scottie Lindsey (20), passes to teammate Alex Olah (22), against Mississippi Valley State's Tajay Henry (10), Vacha Vaughn (0), and Isaac Williams (24), during the first half of a basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Evanston, Ill. ( AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

Mississippi Valley State head coach Andre Payne yells to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Evanston, Ill. ( AP Photo/Paul Beaty) The Associated Press

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