Illinois 57, NU 56: Meyers Leonard stands tall in second city
BY PATRICK Z. MCGAVIN For Sun-Times Media January 4, 2012 10:04PM
Northwestern's John Shurna (24) grabs a rebound between Illinois' Nnanna Egwu (32) and D.J. Richardson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Updated: February 6, 2012 9:43AM
Meyers Leonard had the perfect angle.
“I pretty much knew it was coming,” the 7-1 sophomore center said.
His block of Drew Crawford preserved the Illini’s 57-56 victory Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan and helped snap a five-game losing streak in Evanston.
Leonard scored 10 of his team-best 12 points in the second half. His only points of the first half, a thunderous dunk in transition, ignited a 16-2 Illini run that erased a 36-26 Northwestern first half lead.
Leonard also contributed eight rebounds and two blocks.
“I was frustrated with myself in the first half, and I knew I had to come out the dominate the game,” he said. “In the second half, I let the game come to me.”
In the dramatic ending, Illinois (13-3, 2-1 Big Ten) nearly surrendered an eight-point lead in the final 1:43. Freshman Myke Henry made the game-winner, converting the first of two free throws after he was fouled going after a Brandon Paul miss with six seconds.
Henry scored six points in a solid 15 minutes of play.
“There’s no question confidence comes with playing time,” the former Orr star said. “On the [Paul] missed shot, I just did what I always do in practice, which is just attack the rim. On the free throw, I was a little nervous, but I just went through my regular routine.”
Illini’s youth delivered in multiple ways. Freshman center Nnanna Egwu scored nine points on 3-for-3 shooting that helped the Illini stay close early. Henry’s three-pointer keyed a 5-0 Illini burst that pulled them within 36-31 at the break.
“That’s something we haven’t been good at all year, closing the first half with strong finishes and starting the second half well,’’
Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. “It allowed us to stay in the game.”
Sophomore swingman Joseph Bertrand continued his strong play by scoring all 10 of his points in the second half. He added eight rebounds. Bertrand shot 4-for-4 in the second half and scored six points during the Illini’s 11-0 burst.
Junior guard Brandon Paul scored 10 points. He changed the game with his second-half defense of Northwestern star John Shurna. After Shurna lit up the Illini for 17 first-half points on 7-for-10 shooting, Paul held him to 1-for-7 in the second.
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