January 6, 1999

Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Evan Eschmeyer had 24 points and a season-high 15 rebounds Wednesday night to lead Northwestern to a 58-55 upset victory over No. 16 Minnesota.

Northwestern (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten) had not won at Williams Arena since Feb. 20, 1986, one of only two conference victories for the Wildcats that season. The other was a forfeit win over the Gophers.

Minnesota (9-2, 0-1) cut a 13-point deficit to 56-55 with 1:14 to play. But Eschmeyer made two free throws with 49 seconds left and two desperation shots by the Gophers in the final seven seconds were off target.

Eschmeyer was 6-of-14 from the field and 12-of-14 from the free throw line in recording his 52nd consecutive game in double figures. His 15 rebounds gave him a conference-high sixth double-double of the season and the 35th of his career.

Sean Wink added 12 points, all on 3-pointers, for Northwestern. Steve Lepore added three 3-pointers as the Wildcats made a season-high nine shots from beyond the arc.

Quincy Lewis led Minnesota with 19 points, his ninth straight game in double figures, while Kevin Clark added 14 points.

Minnesota, which had not played in eight days due to two weather postponements at Purdue last weekend, started slowly, making just five of its first 20 shots in falling behind 17-11.

The Wildcats, who have not trailed at halftime in any game this year, led 25-20 after 20 minutes and expanded their lead to 45-32 with a 20-12 run.