EVANSTON, Ill., March 16 (UPI) -- John Shurna and Michael Thompson combined for nine 3-pointers Wednesday in boosting Northwestern to a 70-61 win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the NIT.
Shurna scored 25 points while making half his 10 attempts from 3-point range and Thompson had four long-range shots among his 20 points.
The score was tied at 13-13 with 10:45 to go in the first half before the Wildcats ran off 15 straight points. The Northwestern halftime lead was 11 and it dropped no lower than six during the second period.
Alex Marcotuillo added 13 points for the Wildcats (19-13), who took eventual Big Ten Conference champion Ohio State into overtime in the quarterfinals of the league tournament. Northwestern will visit Boston College in the NIT's second round.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee won the regular-season title in the Horizon League before losing to Butler in the title game of the conference tourney. The Panthers (19-14) were led by 19 points from Tony Meier.
