IN ROD WE TRUST

Overshadowed by a career night from sophomore Rod Wilmont, the Hoosiers' three seniors walked out of their last game in Assembly Hall with a win.\nSetting a career high in points and three pointers in the first half, Wilmont, a Miramar, Fla. native, finished with 20 points and six rebounds, leading IU to a 77-55 win over Northwestern.\n"(Wilmont) stepped up in a big way," said junior guard Bracey Wright. "He hit some threes. He got hot early, so I told (IU) coach (Mike) Davis at halftime we should continue to go to him and ride his hand. He came up big for us."\nAfter making his first five 3-pointers and a free throw to finish the first 20 minutes with 16 points in 14 minutes, Wilmont hit two layups in the second half to finish with 20. \n"I know a lot of people have asked me why I've started Roderick," said IU coach Mike Davis. "I've been asked that question a lot lately. Well I knew he would get 20 points (Sunday) against Northwestern. Wilmont was great (Sunday)."\nWilmont's previous career high in points was 13 against Vanderbilt on Nov. 24, 2003. \nWith the win, IU finishes the regular season 15-12 and 10-6 in Big Ten play. The victory also gives the Hoosiers their first undefeated conference season at home, 8-0, since 1993-94 when they went 9-0. \nAvenging their Jan. 5 loss at Northwestern, the Hoosiers shot 60 percent behind the arc, making 12 of 20 3-point shots Saturday.\nLetting the Wildcats hang around until just over five minutes left in the first half, IU went on a 16-2 run and entered the break ahead 44-26.\nComplementing Wilmont, three other Hoosiers finished in double digits.\nWright ended with 14 points on 4 of 8 shooting, and freshman Robert Vaden and sophomore Pat Ewing Jr. each finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively. \nChipping away in the second half, the closest Northwestern got was nine points midway through, but with the help of Ewing Jr., the Hoosiers kept their composure to win by 22 points.\n"(Ewing Jr.) brought a lot of energy, a lot of feistiness," Wright said. "It was good for us."\nNot only bringing electricity to the crowd of 17,299, Ewing Jr. did it all Saturday afternoon. He blocked three shots, handed out three assists and was able to spark IU after the Wildcats cut it close.\n"I just came in the game to do what I do," Ewing Jr. said. "I don't really remember what the score was when I came in the game or how we were playing. But I know that every time I come in the game I come in to make a difference and that's what I did tonight."\nEwing Jr. was able to make such an impact because freshman forward D.J. White played only 15 minutes Saturday.\n"(White) was out, so we had to find another way to score besides going inside," Vaden said. "Pat can score inside as well. But no matter who's in the game we try to play hard defense. We just try to play hard defense and that will create our offense."\nLeading Northwestern was 6-foot-8-inch junior forward Vedran Vukusic with 22 points and junior guard Mohamed Hachad with 10 points. The loss leaves the Wildcats with a 14-15 record overall and 6-10 in the Big Ten. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Josh Weinfuss at jweinfus@indiana.edu.