Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jan 10, 2010 4:30PM

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

AP Photo/Jim Mone

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

Bulls Thump T-Wolves
The Bulls snapped their latest losing streak thanks to a 110-96 thumping of the Minnesota Timberwolves last night. The Bulls played from behind during the first quarter but chipped away to take the lead by halftime. They kept the roll going in the third and fourth when they extended their lead to as many as 20 points. The Bulls won despite poor performances from their two leading scorers, Derrick Rose and Luol Deng, who had 8 points each. Instead, Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich led the way with 20 points each. The Bulls get a day off before hosting the Pistons tomorrow night (7 p.m., WCIU).

Blackhawks Blow Game To Wild
The Bulls and Blackhawks must have played their own version of Freaky Friday; instead of being the team that overpowers the competition as usual, the Blackhawks were instead the team that builds a large lead only to collapse down the stretch. Last night, the Blackhawks were up 5-1 over the Minnesota Wild before the Wild clawed their way back into the game and ultimately won 6-5 in a shoot-out. Patrick Sharp was the first to score for the 'Hawks, giving the team an early 1-0 lead before the Wild answered. Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg added goals to give the 'Hawks a nice 3-1 lead after the first period, a lead that was expanded in the second thanks to a power play goal from Troy Brouwer and a short-handed goal from Marian Hossa. But the lead crumbled in the third period as Huet, who had 11 saves on twelve shots over the first two periods, gave up four goals on seven shots in the third. After a scoreless overtime, the Wild took the shoot-out 3-2 in eight rounds. The 'Hawks are now 4-4 on the year in games going to shoot-outs. They'll try to bounce back tomorrow night against Anaheim (6 p.m., WGN).

College Basketball

• Illinois played from behind for most of their game against Indiana, but was ahead when the clock hit double-zeros - by a 66-60 count - and that's all that matters. The Illini got 27 points out of Mike Tisdale and 19 points from Demetri McCamey off the bench.
• No. 8 West Virginia's last second shot failed to fall allowing Notre Dame to pull off the 70-68 upset of the Mountaineers. Luke Harangody led all scorers with 24 points.
• Despite being down at the half, NIU cruised in the second half, on their way to a 62-48 win over Ball State.
• Loyola kept things tight with Youngstown State but could never get past the Penguins as YSU pulled off the 71-67 win.
• Jeremy Buttell scored 22 but UIC still fell 70-63 to Cleveland State.
• Chicago State dropped its Great West Conference opener 48-43 to Utah Valley.