Shurna, Northwestern topple American U. 78-62

American University coach Jeff Jones knows a little bit about NCAA Tournament-worthy teams.

Together with a tall fellow named Ralph Sampson, he led Virginia to the 1981 Final Four. Jones has seven NCAA appearances on his coaching resume and a team good enough to make it eight this season.

After watching Northwestern wear down his Eagles for a 78-62 nonconference victory Thursday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena, Jones endorsed the Wildcats' chances.

“We've played enough of these games to know that that's a team that certainly has the capability of being a tournament (team),” said Jones, whose Eagles lost by 21 at West Virginia and 19 at Florida earlier this month.

“Any time you've got great point-guard play and that star that can rise to the occasion, that certainly gives you a chance.”

NU junior forward John Shurna, a.k.a. “That Star,” poured in 13 points in the opening five minutes, notched his 1,000th career point on a free throw with 8:24 left in the first half and finished with a game-high 28 points.

Senior point guard Juice Thompson tacked on a season-high 23 points to ensure the Wildcats (7-0) remained among the 12 undefeated teams in Division I.

Shurna, Thompson and center Luka Mirkovic (11 points, 11 rebounds) tag-teamed for NU's 13-0 run in the second half that turned a 7-point game into a blowout.

“We've played some pretty decent teams in Florida and West Virginia,” Jones said. “Neither of those teams have the offensive explosiveness that Northwestern has.”

But the Wildcats' defense will remain in question the entire year.

After American (6-4) shot 55 percent in the first half to stay within 4 points, Northwestern's matchup zone showed encouraging improvement as American hit just 3 of its first 14 shots in the second half.

NU coach Bill Carmody liked the fact he didn't have to resort to the 1-3-1 half-court trap to slow down the Eagles.

American's studly senior forward Vlad Moldoveanu worked hard to get his 21 points while none of his teammates found a rhythm.

Mostly, though, Carmody enjoyed how everyone contributed to the team's sixth double-digit win this season.

“Listen, there's a good feeling on this team,” Carmody said. “At different times, when you're together for four months or so, and things are going good or not so good, and you're mad at this guy ...

“But this team, we don't have knuckleheads on this team. It's a very coachable team and that's a good thing. Guys are trying to get better.”