Box Score

Riley Francis scored a career-high 28 points in leading Northwestern to a 76-60 home win over Viterbo (Wis.) in the final game of the Northwestern Classic played today at the Bultman Center. 

Northwestern has won six straight, the longest win streak since the 2012-13 season. They improve to 6-1 on the year and are off to their best start since 2012-13. 

Francis and Nathan Wedel combined to score the Red Raiders first 26 points as the hosts took control early with a 26-14 run to start the game. Francis drained five of his career-high seven three-pointers during the run that eclipsed the first 12 minutes of the game. 

Two free throws by Wedel pushed the Red Raider lead to 16 (36-20) until Viterbo closed the half on a 7-3 run to put the score at 39-27 by the break.

Another three-pointer by Francis made it a 20-point game (49-29) and Northwestern maintained a double-digit lead for the duration of the second half. 

Northwestern shot 41% for the game, 37% (11/30) from the beyond the arc. Wedel registered his first double-double of the season, seventh for his career, with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Colton Kooima added 16 points, six boards and six assists. The Red Raiders held a commanding 43-37 advantage on the glass, led by Wedel (10) and Jordan Baker (7). 

Viterbo shot 33% for the game and just 12% (3/25) from the three-point line. Erik Englested led the V-Hawks with 21 points and Jake Bamke added 14. Viterbo suffered its first loss of the season and falls to 2-1.