Northwestern guard Anthony Gaines dunks against Chicago State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Chase Audige scored 20 points and Robbie Beran added 19 and Northwestern ran past Chicago State 111-66 on Saturday, the most points the Wildcats have scored in more than 20 years.
Miller Kopp added 16 points, Ty Berry 14 and Pete Nance 12 for Northwestern (2-0), which made 20 of 29 shots in the second half (69%), including 7 of 12 3-pointers. The 111 points tied a 1966 game for fifth in program history, 10 shy of matching the record set in 1966. It also surpassed 103 scored four years ago for most points since the turn of the century.
Levelle Zeigler scored 18 points for Chicago State (0-5) with Xavier Johnson adding 15.
The Wildcats made 15 of 19 free throws in the first half to overcome 39% shooting and take a 51-35 lead. Kopp and Audige had 14 and 10 points, respectively. Johnson had 13 for the Cougars.
A 15-2 run had Northwestern up by double figures for good midway through the first half, but the Wildcats really heated up in the second half. They shot 69 percent (20 of 29), going 7 of 12 from 3-point range. They outrebounded the Cougars 29-7 after the break to finish with a 54-23 advantage on the glass. With 13 offensive rebounds they had a 22-1 advantage on second-chance points and it was 42-20 on points in the paint.
Northwestern is home against Pittsburgh on Wednesday in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
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Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson, left, drives to the basket against Chicago State forward Jordan Polynice during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Northwestern guard Ty Berry (3) battles for a loose ball against Chicago State forward Kalil Whitehead during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Chicago State guard Rajeir Jones, left, and Northwestern guard Ty Berry battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Chicago State forward Aaris-Monte Bonds, right, shoots against Northwestern forward Robbie Beran and forward Pete Nance during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Northwestern guard Anthony Gaines, left, battles for a rebound against Chicago State forward Jordan Polynice during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Chicago State guard Xavier Johnson, right, drives against Northwestern guard Ryan Greer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Chicago State head coach Lance Irvin, right, reacts as he looks at forward Aaris-Monte Bonds during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Northwestern head coach Chris Collins, left, celebrates with guard Anthony Gaines during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Chicago State in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Northwestern won 111-66. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press
Chicago State guard Levelle Zeigler (2) can't control the ball as Northwestern forward Pete Nance (22), forward Miller Kopp, left, and guard Chase Audige guard during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Associated Press