Junior John Shurna scored a game-high 31 points to pace Northwestern to a 97-78 victory over Northern Illinois in the season opener for both teams at Dekalb, Ill., on Friday night.

Shurna made 7 of 10 3-pointers. Drew Crawford added 20 points for the Wildcats.

Northern Illinois led 13-5 six minutes into the game, but the Wildcats went on a 19-3 run and eventually took a 43-38 lead into the break.

The Wildcats started the second half on a 31-11 run to take a 74-49 lead.

Shurna, who led the Wildcats in scoring last year at 18.2 points per game, was also 6 for 6 from the free throw line and hit 9 of 19 shots from the field.

Northern Illinois was led by Xavier Silas who scored 25 points. Tim Toler added 12 points and Nate Rucker finished with 11.

Northwestern went 20-13 last year before getting bounced in the second round of the NIT. The Wildcats also defeated Northern Illinois last year.