By PATRICK ROSE
Associated Press

EVANSTON, Ill. — Bryant McIntosh’s early season shooting slump finally ended.
McIntosh scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half to lead Northwestern to a 65-58 victory over Wake Forest on Monday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
McIntosh struggled in the first half on 2-of-8 shooting, but caught fire midway through the second, hitting 8-for-8 from the field for 19 points after the 12:02 mark. His 3 with 1:02 left gave the Wildcats (5-2) a 61-56 lead.
McIntosh was shooting just 35 percent from the field coming into the game.
“I was going through a struggle where the ball just wasn’t falling and it was nice to see it finally go in. Coach (Chris Collins) always was telling me this week that the law of averages will come out. Maybe there is a little jump in the averages,” said McIntosh.
John Collins had 12 points and 16 rebounds and Keyshawn Woods added 12 points for Wake Forest (5-2).
Woods’ 3 cut the Northwestern lead to 61-58 with 30.3 seconds left, but Sanjay Lumpkin scored four straight points to finish the game off for the Wildcats.
“I thought with three minutes to go in the game, we were right there. Northwestern didn’t let us make enough plays to win the game and they made the plays down the stretch,” said Wake Forest coach Danny Manning.
Scottie Lindsey added 12 points and Lumpkin finished with 10 points and seven rebounds for Northwestern.
Lumpkin’s defense limited the 6-10 Collins in the second half.
“To see the plays Sanjay Lumpkin made by guarding John Collins the last 10 minutes of the game by giving up six inches, tons of weight, he wouldn’t let him touch the ball. Sanjay Lumpkin was magnificent tonight in his own way,” said Collins.
McIntosh had to leave the game early in the second half after taking a shot to the face. After being tended to on the sideline he returned to ignite a 6-0 Northwestern run.
“I’m really proud of my team tonight. That was kind of a good ole fashioned fist fight, in my opinion,” said Collins.
Trailing 42-38, McIntosh scored the game’s next six points to give the Wildcats a 44-42 lead with 11:01 in the second half.
BIG PICTURE
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons began a stretch on Monday where they play four of their five opponents on the opposing team’s home court.
Northwestern: After not being able to close out Notre Dame in the final seconds last week, the Wildcats bounced back with a win over another power five opponent. Last week, they defeated Texas, which was ranked No. 22 at the time.
HOOSIERS
After taking an elbow to his face McIntosh had a flashback to one of his favorite movies. “I think my favorite part is when I came out. I’m a big Hoosiers fan, obviously, because I’m from Indiana. I heard coach, ‘patch him up, patch him up.’ And for whatever reason it took me back to the movie Hoosiers,” said McIntosh.
STAY IN THE GAME
Manning wants to see his, big man, Collins stay out of foul trouble.
“He could break out a little bit more if he stayed out of foul trouble. But John’s an athletic kid. Last year, in the minutes that he played, his production was really high. He gets a lot of things down out there on the court. The thing we’re trying to stress to him is defensive position,” said Manning.
UP NEXT
Wake Forest travels to Richmond on Saturday. Richmond loss to Maryland in overtime and is coming off a win against Boston College on Saturday.
Northwestern faces DePaul on Saturday. The Wildcats defeated the Blue Demons on the road in overtime last season.