Morning Box Score: Bulls Dull Spurs, Blackhawks Win A Thriller, NU Still On Bubble
By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 1, 2012 2:30PM
The Bulls have no won 11 of their past 13 games and handed San Antonio only their second home loss this season after an exciting game last night. Derrick Rose led all scorers with 29 points. He only shot 10-for-23 from the field, but he found net on all of his free throw attempts. He also provided Bulls fans with a scare when he and Spurs point guard Tony Parker knocked knees early in the game. Joakim Noah chalked up another double double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. San Antonio was led by Gary Neal, who came off the bench to score 21 points, while Tim Duncan added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and exposed Carlos Boozer's lack of defensive hustle yet again on a transition play.
Things looked bad for the Blackhawks after Corey Crawford was pulled from goal in the first period. Crawford had more holes in his game than a sieve, surrendering three goals before ray emery took over. Emery proved stalwart the rest of the way, allowing only one more goal. But the Hawks stars, who have received their fair share of criticism as the team has tumbled in the Western Conference standings, performed to expectations last night. Patrick Kane tied the game in the second period on a backhand shot, while Marian Hossa gave Chicago their first lead of the game with eight minutes to play in the period. After the Maple Leafs tied the game in the third period, Hossa scored the game winner on an empty netter with four seconds to play in regulation. Andrew Sharp and Marcus Krueger scored first period goals to keep the Blackhawks in the game during the first 20 minutes of play
Ohio State 75, Northwestern 73
The Wildcats remain on the NCAA Tournament bubble after a heartbreaking loss to the Buckeyes at Welsh-Ryan Arena. NU was primed to sent the game into overtime after a late 8-0 run, capped by an Alex Marcotullio trey with 7.7 seconds left, tied the game. But Ohio St. forward Jared Sullinger worked his way through the Wildcats defense to score the game winning layup with 3.seconds to play. Sullinger led Ohio St. with 22 points and 18 rebounds. The Wildcats were led by Drew Crawford's 23 points and John Shurna's 22. Nu's record is now 17-12.