The plot of Monday evening’s game between Northwestern and its mid-major foe was refreshingly new. Prone to slow starts and with a much-maligned ability to put away inferior opponents, the Wildcats left no doubt against Chicago State. A 23-2 run to begin the game burgeoned to a 55-8 lead, the fewest points yielded at half in program history of the shot-clock era.
In its early-season games against Loyola (Md.) and La Salle, Northwestern was outscored by nine and 16 points, respectively, in the second half. A 47-point lead at halftime was more than enough, but the Wildcats did not take their foot off the gas.