Morning Box Score
By Matt Motyka in News on Feb 23, 2009 4:00PM
Pacers Puzzle Bulls
The Bulls may now have the pieces to make the playoff picture, but as evidenced by their 98-91 loss to the Indiana Pacers Sunday, still have some work to do putting the puzzle together. Trailing by 14 midway through the third, John Salmons, Tim Thomas and Kirk Hinrich sank consecutive three-pointers to make inroads on Indiana. The Pacers settled for outside looks and couldn't convert, while the Bulls steadily marched to a one-possession lead. Fortunes would fade for Chicago, however, as Indiana developed a hot hand early in the fourth and the Bulls struggled to defend the paint with big man Brad Miller on the bench. Ben Gordon led the scoring with 28, and new guys Salmons and Miller contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds, respectively.
Harding Stymies 'Hawks
The Blackhawks lost to the Minnesota Wild 2-1 Sunday night, but not for lack of trying. Chicago fired 44 shot attempts at Minnesota's Josh Harding, and the backup goalie had an answer for all but one of them. Jonathan Toews tipped-in the game's first goal at the halfway mark, but that was the only break the 'Hawks would catch despite numerous good looks at the net. Minnesota's Dan Fritsche tied the score on a power play later in the second, and left wing Peter Olvecky got the game-winner for the Wild 3:30 into the third period. The Blackhawks travel to Nashville for a Tuesday contest with the Predators before returning to Chicago to host three at home.
College Basketball
No. 16 Illinois regrouped after Wednesday's 33-point showing and went on to defeat the Ohio State Buckeyes 70-68 Sunday afternoon. Shooting a much-improved 58 percent from the field, the Illini led by eight with 2:30 to play. The Buckeyes did not go quietly, though, making an 8-2 charge over the next two minutes. With a two-point lead and the clock in their favor, Illnois made enough free throws down the stretch to maintain their advantage and secure the win. Mike Davis led the effort with 22 points and 8 rebounds.
Northwestern was throttled by the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 72-45. The Wildcats struggled to find their stroke and didn't get many second chances, grabbing only two offensive rebounds in the game. Minnesota established an 18-point lead by halftime and coasted the rest of the way. John Shurna led Northwestern with nine points, as no Wildcat reached double figures in scoring.
AP Photo/AJ Mast