EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- John Shurna scored 20 points, Drew Crawford scored 17 and freshman Dave Sobolewski added 15 points as Northwestern defeated Texas Southern 81-51 Thursday night.

Northwestern (8-1) raced to a 23-3 lead, hitting 8 of 12 from the field, including 5 for 8 on 3-pointers, while Texas Southern (1-7) made just one of its first nine shots. Crawford scored 10 points in the Wildcats' opening surge.

Northwestern led 41-20 at halftime. The Wildcats had a 24-14 rebound advantage and committed four turnovers to 11 for the Tigers. The Wildcats led by 32 several times in the second half.

JerShon Cobb scored 10 points for Northwestern. Shurna added six rebounds and five assists.

Patrick Onwenu led Texas Southern with nine points and Fred Sturdivant scored eight. Texas Southern had nine blocked shots.

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