Jalen Leach scored seven of his season-best 27 points in overtime and Northwestern escaped an upset bid by posting a 67-58 victory over Eastern Illinois on Friday night in nonconference play at Evanston, Ill. Nick Martinelli added 16 points and Ty Berry scored 10 for the Wildcats (3-1), who played without Brooks Barnhizer (foot) for the fourth straight game. Leach, a transfer from Fairfield, made two big shots late in the regulation and connected on 15 of 16 free-throw attempts. Nakyel Shelton had 19 points and three steals for the Panthers (1-3), who went scoreless in overtime. Kooper Jacobi contributed 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Eastern Illinois.
Northwestern shuts out Eastern Illinois in OT to win
