Northwestern Ends Skid with Narrow Victory
In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Northwestern snapped a frustrating five-game skid with a narrow 78-74 victory against Maryland, thanks in large part to Nick Martinelli’s impressive 29-point performance. The Wildcats, now holding a record of 11 wins and 16 losses, with a 3-13 mark in the Big Ten, went into halftime with a slim lead of 35-34.
Second Half Surge
As the second half commenced, Northwestern took control of the game with an explosive offensive surge, dominating Maryland 16-3 midway through. This run, highlighted by four 3-pointers from both Jordan Clayton and Jake West, transformed a 50-44 deficit into a comfortable double-digit advantage, allowing Northwestern to maintain control in the final 12 minutes of play.
Standout Performances
Maryland, struggling with their own consistency, featured a standout performance from Andre Mills. He not only scored 22 points in the first half but finished with a career-high of 39 points, making him the focal point in the Terrapins’ offense. Despite Mills’ efforts, including a three-pointer that brought Maryland within three points at the game’s conclusion, Northwestern secured the victory after converting a free throw in the final seconds.
In addition to Martinelli’s stellar scoring, Clayton set a personal record with 20 points, showcasing his accuracy from beyond the arc by hitting 6 of 7 attempts. Angelo Ciaravino contributed significantly as well, adding 16 points to the scoreboard. The Wildcats’ three-point shooting was particularly effective, with a successful 12 out of 21 attempts, and they recorded 20 assists on their field goals.
Historical Context and Future Matches
Martinelli’s performance propelled him into an impressive eighth place on Northwestern’s all-time scoring list, where he surpassed 1,588 career points. While Maryland outperformed Northwestern on the boards with 36 rebounds compared to 24, they were hindered by 15 turnovers, which ultimately proved costly.
Interestingly, this game continued a trend for Northwestern: they have now participated in 26 games decided by two possessions or fewer since last season, a statistic that is tied for the highest in major conference basketball.
As the schedule progresses, Maryland will host Washington this Saturday, while Northwestern prepares for a challenging road game against Indiana next Tuesday.
