Western pounces on Northwestern early, cruises to win

Posted: December 4, 2009
By Peter Adelsen

RUSSIAVILLE - In the Mid-Indiana Conference opener, the Western Panthers took control early and never let go to defeat its archrival Northwestern Tigers, 72-55, at Richard R. Rea Gymnasium.

Western scored the first points and never trailed the Northwestern Tigers. The Tigers’ lone tie was at 3-3. From that point on, Western extended the lead to 21-7 to end the first quarter on a 9-0 run.

The Panthers continued to dominate the Tigers defensively in the second quarter to extend its lead to 41-19 at the half. Western forced Northwestern turnovers and the Tigers began to take quick shots to help Western extend its lead.

At the beginning of the third quarter, Northwestern began on a 9-4 run to bring the score to 45-28 Western. Deep in the third quarter, Western ended the quarter on an 8-0 run to outscore the Tigers by two in the frame. Western ended the third quarter up on the Tigers 57-33.

With a large lead, Western began to play relaxed in the fourth quarter. The Tigers got the lead down to 16 points at 68-52. The speed of the game increased as Northwestern took quick shots and Western did the same at the other end of the court, which led to a mini-comeback by the Tigers. The Tigers won the fourth quarter as they outscored the Panthers 22-15. However, it was not enough to make the game manageable as they lost to the Panthers 72-55.

“I thought our defense really set the tone in the first half,” Western coach Andy Weaver said. “(Northwestern) just kept coming and didn’t just play the game out. You have to give Northwestern a lot of credit.”

Western senior Jamal Johnson led all scoring with 13 points. The other two Panthers in double-figures scoring were senior Matt Reida with 12 points and junior Drew Larrick with 10 points.

Northwestern had two players in double-figures scoring. Senior Jared Treadway led the Tigers with 12 points and senior Brayden Merrell had 10 points.

Western’s (1-1) next opponent is at Eastern High School (1-0) on December 11. Northwestern’s (1-1) next opponent is at Taylor High School (1-1) on December 11.

Scores by quarter:

Northwestern 7 12 14 22 =55

Western 21 20 16 15 =72

Other area scores from Friday:

Taylor defeated Tri-Central, 63-52

Peru defeated Wabash, 81-35

North Miami defeated Maconaquah, 54-52

Logansport defeated Lewis Cass, 65-34