EVANSTON – Mississippi Valley junior transfer Davon Usher scored a game-leading 35 points to almost single-handedly keep the Delta Devils in the game, but Northwestern got key late baskets from sophomore guard Dave Sobolewski to pull out an 81-68 win Thursday night.

Sobolewski scored his first field goal of the season on a layup to break a 58-58 tie midway through the second half moments after Usher had hit a 3-point shot from the right corner to knot the score.

Sobolewski scored all 13 of his points, including two 3-point baskets, down the stretch to give Northwestern (2-0) the victory.