Nash lift hurting ’Cats past NIU
EVANSTON – With star forward Kevin Coble announcing possible season-ending surgery and key reserve Jeff Ryan helped off the court in the first half because of a knee injury, Northwestern might have faded in its season opener Friday against Northern Illinois.
But the Wildcats turned to Coble’s replacement in the starting lineup, Jeremy Nash, who scored a career-high 20 points to lead Northwestern to a 77-55 victory.
“I’ve got to be more aggressive,” Nash said. “All week the coaches kept telling me that I had to assert myself on offense first.”
Nash, whose career best had been 12 points, scored nine first-half points, including a resounding dunk to set the early tone as the Wildcats took a
39-25 halftime lead.
This was Nash’s second career start. He had been considered a defensive specialist after averaging 3.5 points last year.
“I said last year that he probably should be starting, and I probably should have done it last year if tonight’s any indication,” Northwestern coach BillCarmody said.
Said Nash: “Whatever coach needs me to do and the team needs me to do. If it’s starting or coming off the bench, I don’t mind.”
Northern Illinois got within 42-34 just more than three minutes into the second half. Northwestern responded with an 11-1 run sparked by Nash. The 6-4 senior was too quick for NIU’s defense, scoring eight points in the Wildcats’ game-deciding outburst.
“[Nash] was focused and determined that his team still produced points (without Coble),” Northern Illinois coach Ricardo Patton said. “He did a nice job stopping behind screens and was able to knock down some shots.”
Nash added four steals.
Before the game, all the attention was on Coble, a second-team All-Big Ten selection a year ago. The 6-8 senior forward disclosed that he was considering surgery after hurting his left foot at practice Tuesday.
“I felt my foot pop when I went up,” said Coble, who was on crutches. “They’re calling it a mild Lisfranc fracture.”
Northern Illinois was led by Xavier Silas, who had 18 points before fouling out late in the second half.
