Morning Box Score
By Matt Motyka in News on Feb 13, 2009 4:40PM
Heat Hold Off Bulls
The Bulls' latest comeback bid was of the fast and furious variety, but Chicago came up just short Thursday night in their 95-93 loss to the Miami Heat. Facing a seemingly insurmountable 93-86 deficit with 1:12 to play, the Bulls rattled off seven straight to points to make it a game. Fate and the ball were in Miami's hands with six ticks left on the clock, but Kirk Hinrich secured a steal to give Chicago the chance to win outright. That chance never materialized, however, as Thabo Sefolosha's inbound pass was picked by Dwyane Wade, who subsequently set up Shawn Marion for the game-winning basket at the other end. Ben Gordon had a big night for the Bulls with 34 points, including three pressure free throws that tied the score late. Chicago gets an All-Star breather before heading north to face the Bucks on Wednesday.
College Basketball
No. 20 Illinois rallied against the Northwestern Wildcats, earning a 60-59 victory on the game's final shot. The Wildcats held a 14-point advantage with just over five minutes to play, but would turn ice cold, scoring just two points down the home stretch. The Illini took full advantage of the freeze, scoring 17 in the same span. The run was punctuated by Demetri McCamey's clincher with three seconds to go as Illinois wrestled away the win. McCamey finished with 21 to lead the scoring, and frosh Luka Mirkovic established career highs with 14 points and 12 boards for the Wildcats.
Notre Dame's downward spiral came to a grinding halt Thursday evening, as the Irish trounced no. 7 Louisville, 90-57. Ryan Ayers and Kyle McAlarney were red hot from behind the arc, and the Cardinals had no answer for big man Luke Harangody in the paint. Notre Dame shot 15 percentage points better than their stunned opponents, and snagged 21 more rebounds. Harangody shined with 32 points, 17 boards and four assists, leading all three statistical categories. The victory abruptly ended a seven-game skid for Notre Dame, and will give the Irish a boost going into Sunday's contest with the South Florida Bulls.