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EVANSTON, IL- Buffalo couldn't overcome the torrid first-half shooting of Northwestern as the Bulls lost to the Wildcats, 69-62, at the Welsh-Ryan Arena on Monday night. Northwestern shot a school-record 86.4 percent (19-22) from the field in the first half to take control of the game.

Precisely run back-door cuts helped Northwestern hit its first six shots (all layups) to open an 11-2 lead. Trailing 19-6, the Bulls' next 13 points were scored by Calvin Cage (Bowie, MD/Bladensburg). However, the hot shooting of the Wildcats prevented the Bulls from putting a dent in the lead. Northwestern was able to build an 18-point advantage at halftime.

Calvin Cage

In the second half, UB's defensive intensity heated up while the shooting of Northwestern cooled. Trailing by 24 points early in the second half, the Bulls hit eight of their next 10 shots, including three-straight treys, to cut the lead to 10 points with 8:47 remaining. Northwestern's offensive rebounding hurt the Bulls down the stretch as the Wildcats were able to take advantage of second-chance opportunities and maintain their lead.

Despite the loss, it was a breakout game for Cage. The freshman guard scored a career-high 24 points including six three-pointers to lead all scorers. Daniel Gilbert (Detroit, MI/Cass Technical) also contributed well with 10 points, four assists and four steals.

"Northwestern shot well and executed well in the first half and we didn't play the defense we had hoped to play," Head Coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "[Northwestern's shooting] effected us on what we wanted to do on the offensive end."

Northwestern (7-3) had four players score in double-figures, led by Aaron Jennings with 19. T.J. Parker (brother of San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker) added 15 points.

With the loss, Buffalo (3-6) remains winless on the road this season. UB will look to snap the road winless streak when they play at Penn State on Saturday afternoon.