Northwestern defeats San Jose State 59-51
Wildcats go 2-1 to take third place at BCA Invitational

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. - Northwestern got timely play from Jitim Young Friday night in taking a 59-51 decision against San Jose State in the third-place game of the Black Coaches Association Invitational in Raleigh, N.C. The Wildcats are now 2-1 on the season.

Tavaras Hardy had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Winston Blake led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points. San Jose State was led by Moises Alvarez, who had 17 points, while Gary Black added 14.

After grabbing a large lead in the first half, Northwestern allowed the Spartans to climb back into the contest. However, San Jose State never led after 5-4 in the contest.

The Wildcats held a 29-21 lead at the half, thanks to eight points each by Young and freshman Vedran Vukusic. In the second half, that lead was threatened early, before an 8-0 Wildcat run made the score 42-31.

It was at that point that SJSU made its run. The Spartans reeled off 11 straight points to tie the game with 9:41 to play, then went toe-to-toe with the Wildcats the rest of the way.

NU opened up some breathing room with a 7-0 run that made the score 54-46 with less than two minutes to play. San Jose State scored four points over the next minute, thanks to missed foul shots by Northwestern, before Young finally knocked down two freebies with 47 seconds left.

SJSU had no answer after that, scoring just one point while the Wildcats sealed it with free throws.