Northwestern Edges Out Indiana in Thrilling Matchup
In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, Northwestern University edged out Indiana with a final score of 72-68, marking a significant milestone as the Wildcats secured their first-ever six-game winning streak against the Hoosiers in the history of their competitive series. This victory also highlights Northwestern’s remarkable eight-game winning streak on the road against Indiana, a feat never achieved by the program before.
Key Performers
Nick Martinelli was instrumental in leading his team to victory, scoring an impressive 28 points, while Jake West contributed with 16 points. Off the bench, Arrinten Page added 10 points to round out the scoring for Northwestern, which now boasts an overall record of 12 wins and 16 losses, including 4-13 in the Big Ten conference.
For Indiana, which now stands at 17-11 and 8-9 in the Big Ten, Lamar Wilkerson led the scoring surge with 18 points, accompanied by Tayton Conerway with 14 points, Sam Alexis with 13 points, and Tucker Devries contributing 11 points. Conerway’s play became particularly notable during the closing moments of the match when, trailing 69-66, he executed a powerful two-handed dunk while being fouled, bringing the Hoosiers within striking distance.
Game Highlights
The final moments of the game were intense, as Conerway fouled West intentionally to put him on the free-throw line, where West successfully converted both attempts, extending Northwestern’s lead to 71-68. Indiana attempted to respond on their final possession; however, Devries’s shot was impaired by what appeared to be a foul from Northwestern’s Angelo Ciaravino, but the officials did not call it, and the shot missed its mark. Page went to the line with 1.1 seconds left in the game and managed to sink one of his two free throws, sealing the victory for the Wildcats.
Notably, Indiana struggled during the second half, missing 11 consecutive field goal attempts before Conerway’s electrifying dunk broke the drought. The Hoosiers had led by as much as 13 points during the first half, holding a 42-33 advantage at halftime.
Looking Ahead
As the teams look ahead, Northwestern prepares to host Oregon on Saturday, while Indiana will face off against 13th-ranked Michigan State at home on Sunday. This thrilling victory reinforces Northwestern’s upward trajectory, as they continue to build momentum in the late stages of the season.
