Northwestern Ends Losing Streak with Victory Over USC
In a pivotal matchup held on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles, Northwestern secured a 74-68 victory over USC, bringing an end to their troubling five-game losing streak. The standout performer for Northwestern was Nick Martinelli, who tallied an impressive 22 points, with 17 of those coming in an explosive second half. With this performance, Martinelli extended his remarkable streak to ten consecutive games scoring at least 20 points, making it the longest active stretch in the nation.
USC’s Freshman Debut
USC’s highly anticipated freshman, Alijah Arenas, made his collegiate debut, following in the footsteps of his father, NBA legend Gilbert Arenas. Despite being a touted five-star recruit and a McDonald’s All-American, Arenas had a challenging start, finishing with eight points, making just three of 15 shots, and failing to connect on any of his six attempts from beyond the arc. He did manage to score his initial collegiate points with a jumper from the right baseline shortly after the game began and wowed fans with a 360-degree layup soon after.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
Northwestern, now sporting a record of 9-10 overall and 1-7 in the Big Ten, ended a long streak of nine consecutive losses in conference play—a drought that dated back to the previous season. This win also halted the team’s worst start in Big Ten competition since the 2007-08 season when the Wildcats dropped their first 14 league matchups.
For USC, who now stands at 14-4 and 3-5 in the conference, Jordan Marsh was instrumental, scoring all of his 19 points in the second half, while Ezra Ausar contributed significantly with 17 points, 13 of which came after halftime. Jacob Cofie rounded out a solid game with nine points alongside 12 rebounds, while Chad Baker-Mazara, the Trojans’ top scorer averaging nearly 19 points per game, struggled with foul trouble, managing only 14 points in 13 minutes of play.
Decisive Moments
In a tense closing stretch of the game, Martinelli showcased his skills with a crucial jump shot with just 1.6 seconds remaining on the shot clock, extending Northwestern’s lead. Subsequently, he stole the ball and assisted a layup for Tyler Kropp, effectively solidifying the win as Northwestern maintained a two-possession lead for the remainder of the game. Tyler Kropp, making his first start, had a commendable performance, scoring 11 points and securing nine rebounds, while Jake West also contributed with 11 points and five assists.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Northwestern will face UCLA on Saturday, while USC prepares for a matchup against Wisconsin on Sunday.
