Shurna Sets All-Time Scoring Mark, Keeps Dream Alive
By Philip Rossman-Reich on
Northwestern got everything it needed in a surprisingly comfortable win over Minnesota. The Tournament dream is alive and John Shurna is the new scoring champion in Northwestern history.
The dream is alive.
In a game that could have adequately been called a must-win for both teams, John Shurna and Dave Sobolewski and JerShon Cobb and all the rest of the Wildcats kept the dream very very much alive.
Shurna completed a long journey to the top of Northwestern’s all-time scoring list. He went on a scoring run in the latter stage of the first half with a 7-0 run on his own to give Northwestern a lead it would not relinquish. He then busted the Minnesota 2-3 zone with a straight-away 3-pointer for the record, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
It might have been his effort on the defensive end and the efforts from Dave Sobolewski that secured a comfortable win.
The Wildcats took a 10-point lead in the first half on that Shurna run and were never really threatened in a 64-53 win over the Golden Gophers, gaining a measure of revenge with another strong offensive performance.
| Score | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| Minnesota | 53 | 91.8 | 49.0 | 53.1 | 28.1 | 12.5 |
| Northwestern | 64 | 108.6 | 56.5 | 17.2 | 15.6 | 26.1 |
This game seemed to teeter on that edge of comfort and panic as all Northwestern games seem to. The Wildcats had the lead and never let the Golden Gophers sniff the lead. It got down to eight points at some points in the second half, but Shurna or Sobolewski were there for critical shots to extend the lead and keep the lead.
These are the games NU has let slip away in the past. But Minnesota did not have a run in it. The Wildcats won the second half 28-25 and rode the strong first half performance to the victory.
It would be hard not to lead with Shurna’s record-breaking 18 points, and his run of baskets in the first half proved to be the difference to give NU cushion, but it is hard to recall a time Northwestern had such a complete team performance on both ends of the floor in such a big spot. The Wildcats NEEDED this kind of performance to win this critical game between Big Ten bubble teams.
Shurna played a really complete game with five assists, four blocks and four steals to go with his 18 points. Dave Sobolewski led the team with 22 points and Drew Crawford added 11.
Most nights when your team gives up 57.1 percent shooting in the first half and 17 offensive rebounds, you will not be praising the defense. But the Wildcats did a great job denying the ball inside and took centers Ralph Sampson III and Elliott Eliason out of the game. Sampson played only 18 minutes in the game as Minnesota elected to go small to match Northwestern’s small lineup.
More than that, the Wildcats forced 21 turnovers and contested enough of the put backs on those offensive rebound opportunities to make up for that disadvantage.
Julian Welch was the only player to really get going offensively. He hit all five of Minnesota’s 3-pointers in scoring 21 points and dishing out five assists. But every time he made a big shot, it seemed the Wildcats had an answer on the other end.
Without Welch’s 7-for-12 performance, Minnesota shot 38.9 percent (14 for 36). The Golden Gophers made only 21 field goals in the game, so Welch was one-third of the team’s offensive production based on field goals made. Minnesota shot just 9 for 27 in the second half as Northwestern tightened the screws.
How often can we say that?
Shurna’s effort was a big part of the formula. So too was surprise starter JerShon Cobb. You are not going to see anything special in his box score — except for four steals to match Shurna. Cobb showed the flashes of potential he has shown throughout his career when he was not slowed with injuries.
Again, you think to yourself: when was the last time so many key players stepped up and did those little things in such a big spot?
It just does not happen very often in Northwestern’s history.
Then again, we don’t see player like Shurna very often. Not in 30-40 years apparently.
Shurna is making his case for greatest player in Northwestern’s history. He may have already achieved that. He was able to do whatever Northwestern needed from him again. When the team needed an offensive jolt, he was there to provide it. When it needed a facilitator early in the game, he was there.
More than anything, that is what this record and the way Shurna has approached it say about Shurna. He has done whatever his team has needed from him.
And so for one more game, Shurna did what was necessary to keep Northwestern’s tournament dreams alive. And they are alive for Shurna and the Wildcats to keep fighting.
Historic night for the program and for John, go Cats!
You’re my boy Shurna! Way to make us proud! You have represented the school wonderfully and put in a ton of hard work. Nice to see it all pay off. Hope you having a great time tonight
Bravo!!!
SHURNASTIC! Defensive effort sparked them…..
Amazing! Congrats 24!
Congrats Mr Shurna for breaking the record. Was a big time 3 when Minny cut the lead to 7.
Cobb on back and healthy on top of the Zone is huge. Knock down a shot or two he will gain more confidence.
Good Job Mr. Carmody…..it’s always your fault when the cats lose but you never get credit when they win…..You really got out coached tonight…hahahaha
Keep the ball rolling vrs Michigan….we get them coming off a big win….I like it…. Go U NU!!!
That was the biggest game in the history of NU Hoops…and now a bigger one coming up this week……
Joe Lunardi update………
http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/49225/joe-lunardis-quick-bracketology-update-2
I’m starting to think 8-10 with a Thursday tournament win might just do it.
Congrats John Shurna! I remember seeing Shurna play as a freshman with a smile on his face and thought “that kid can be special”. Little did I know at the time how special he would be. Congrats to #24 and the rest of the team for a great win. Run the table guys!
Shurna with at least 5 games remaining. You don’t suppose…2,000?
John has 1902 points and last night he may have signed at least that many autographs. As a cop tried to pull him off the floor to talk to the reporters in the locker room he kept signing as he backed away then signed for kids leaning over the rail. My kid and I got close enough to hear him say “thanks for coming” with every signature. We finally gave up on his coming back and headed out, only to run into him at the locker room door when he set put to take care of everyone he left behind, including my son. And he thanked everyone for coming out.
The point being, as we all know already, John is as good a guy as he is a player if not better. Thank you, John…for 1902 points and a whole lot more.
What a great feat for a wonderful and modest young man! Watching him play night in and night out, make assists, rebound, and play defense — in addition to shooting the lights out — has been a true pleasure. I hope that John Shurna’s new point scoring record stands for eternity and that his humble team leadership lifts the ‘Cats right into the NCAA tournament for the perfect end to his NU career.
My strongest memory of Wildcat basketball was Shurna knocking down that 3 point shot to beat Ohio State his freshman year. I was at the game – it was unbelievable! His 12 points (starting with that steal-dunk) to end the first half last night were something else!
Congrats again! Beat Michigan!
Great night for NU hoops. And congrats, John!
Especially encouraging to see Jershon Cobb back on the court. His defensive energy (and fresh legs) should be a nice boost down the stretch, especially given how thin we are.
Great article and comments above, particularly emphasizing what great character Shurna has. It’s really great to see how quickly Dave Sobolewski has developed this year–three more years with this guy at point guard, wow! And finally a little depth with JerShon. It’s such a better team with his skills and the added depth. And a fine job by the Coach.
I just hope we can recruit some bigs in the very near future.