Senior forward Nathan Taphorn came off the bench Sunday for a career-high 18 points as Northwestern routed New Orleans, 83-49. The Wildcats opened up a double-digit lead within the first 10 minutes and blew the game open to 21 points by halftime.
“Having done this for a long time, these are games you really worry about,” fourth-year coach Chris Collins said after the game. “Final exams all week long, haven’t been able to practice as much. I was really pleased with our energy to start the game.”
While Taphorn did most of his damage in the second half, his biggest highlight came in the first with this big putback dunk.
Oh. We see you Tap.
Catch the #B1GCats on BTN/BTN2Go.#PoundTheRock https://t.co/cvRgMfODGo
— NU Men’s Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 12, 2016
“I’ve got to just be confident in myself, play within myself and just do what I have the ability to do,” Taphorn said.
Northwestern (7-2) also received big contributions from junior guard Scottie Lindsey, junior forward Gavin Skelly and sophomore forward Vic Law.
Lindsey recorded 16 points, including 13 in the first half. He is now averaging 15.6 points this season, well over double what he posted last year.
Skelly came off the bench for to score 14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists while Law reached double figures despite shooting 1-of-10 from the field. He made all eight of his free throws.
“I know he’s going to make shots,” Collins said of Law, who came in shooting 53.5% from the field. “He was on a tear there for a while where he was hitting everything. So sometimes it always kind of averages itself out, and tonight was just one of those nights. He took good shots but had a hard time putting it in.”
That’s another #B1GCats victory. We got your highlights from tonight’s 83-49 win over New Orleans. https://t.co/MWn1AUGzdK
— NU Men’s Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 12, 2016
Forward Erik Thomas led New Orleans (4-4) with 17 points and 10 rebounds, his third double-double of the season and second against a Power 5 team.
Northwestern hosts Chicago State in another cupcake on Wednesday before playing its final major test of non-conference play Saturday against Dayton.
