IU Downs Wildcats, 77-55

March 5, 2005

Bloomington, Ind. - Sophomore guard Roderick Wilmont's career-high 20 points, including a 5-for-6 effort from 3-point range, lifted the Indiana men's basketball team to a 77-55 victory against Northwestern on Saturday afternoon in its final regular season match up. The Hoosiers finished the season undefeated (8-0) at home against league opponents. With the win, the improved their overall record to 15-12 and 10-6 in the Big Ten. Northwestern fell to 14-15 on the year and 6-10 in conference action.

The game got off to a rather sluggish start, but with the scored tied at 5 apiece at the 17:08 mark, Indiana gained some momentum and opened up a 10-2 run over the next six minutes to go ahead, 15-9. Northwestern tested the Hoosier defense and chipped away at the lead, as junior forward Vedran Vukusic hit some big shots down the stretch to bring the Wildcats within three, 22-19 with 6:39 left to play in the first half. Wilmont kept Indiana out on top as he grew red hot from 3-point range and made five-straight shots from behind the arc, including a shot at the buzzer that sent Indiana into halftime enjoying a 44-26 lead. The Cream and Crimson shot the best it has all year in the first 20 minutes of play as it went 13-for-22 (.591)

Indiana continued with its sharp shooting to go ahead by as many as 21 points when it led, 51-30 at the 17:11 mark. The large lead was soon diminished as Northwestern fought back, going on an 11-0 run to bring the game within 10, 51-41, with over 14 minutes left to play. The Wildcats hung in with the Hoosiers over the next few possessions and came within eight, 56-48, but that would be as close as Northwestern would get the rest of the way. The Wildcats could not overcome IU's best shooting performance from the field all season (26-for-48; .542 percent) as Indiana hit some key shots down the stretch to capture the 77-55 victory.

In addition to Wilmont's career performance, three other Hoosiers reached double-digit scoring as freshman forward Robert Vaden (12), sophomore forward Pat Ewing (11) and junior guard Bracey Wright (10) helped the cause. On the rebounding end the two teams both pulled down 28 rebounds, led by Wilmont, sophomore center Vince Scott and sophomore guard Tim Doyle leading with a game-high six boards apiece.

Vukusic led NU with a team-high and game-high 22 points. Junior guard Mohamed Hachad was the only other Wildcat in double-figures as he finished with 10 points.

Up next for the Hoosiers is the Big Ten Tournament, which will be held March 10-13 in Chicago Ill., at the United Center. The Hoosiers solidified the No. 4 seed and will take on No. 5 seed Minnesota on Friday, March 11 at 2:30 p.m. ET

Game Notes: Indiana bid farewell to seniors Mike Roberts, Mark Johnson and Ryan Tapak as they played in their final regular season home game...Roderick Wilmont hit a career-high five pointers en route to scoring a season-high 22 points (his previous career high was 13 at Vanderbilt on Nov. 24 2003)...The Hoosiers shot the best they have all year from the field going 26-for-48 (.542)...IU was just two 3-pointers shy of its season-high 14 treys...The Hoosiers tied its season-high with nine blocked shots...Indiana went a perfect 8-0 in home conference games this season.

Indiana University Athletics

March 5, 2005

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Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson

Mike Roberts

Mike Roberts

Mike Roberts

Mike Roberts

Mike Roberts

Ryan Tapak

Ryan Tapak

Ryan Tapak

Robert Vaden

Robert Vaden

Roderick Wilmont

Roderick Wilmont

Roderick Wilmont

Roderick Wilmont

Roderick Wilmont

Bracey Wright

Bracey Wright

Bracey Wright

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