Wednesday, March 12
Indianapolis, Ind.
2:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
17-15,7-13Big Ten
72
vs
64
Minnesota
15-17,7-13Big Ten
1
2
F
Northwestern
32
40
72
Minnesota
29
35
64
‘Cats March On, Grind Past Gophers in Big Ten Tournament, 72-64
3/12/2025 7:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS - Junior Nick Martinelli posted his second consecutive 28-point game as he led No. 13-seed Northwestern to a 72-64 triumph over No. 12-seed Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament First Round on Wednesday afternoon. The Wildcats (17-15, 7-13 Big Ten) will play No. 5 seed and nationally ranked No. 18 Wisconsin in the second round at approximately 1:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 13.
"Just really proud of our guys," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Everyone knows the kind of year we've been through. Our guys are just tough."
Martinelli became the 43rd player in school history to reach 1,000 career points, while also posting seven rebounds and three assists on 12-of-22 shooting. Martinelli's 28 points are the most by any Northwestern forward in a Big Ten Tournament game since 2005-06. Martinelli posted the first 28+ point, 7+ rebound, 3+ assist game by a Northwestern player since Pete Nance did so against Maryland on Jan. 12, 2022. He tallied his ninth 25-point game of the season.
Martinelli surpassed Boo Buie (2023-24) to move into second in single-season points in program history. He has scored 654 points this season, seven short of the program record set in the 2011-12 season by John Shurna (661). Martinelli holds the program's single-season field goals made record with 242.
"His competitive will has just been amazing, and he's playing great," Collins said. "I'm just so proud to be on his team, and honestly, I'm riding his wave. It's fun as a coach when you can ride a great player's wave and just kind of let his heart lead the way, and that's what's happening with this team."
Northwestern has held its opponent to fewer than 65 points in four of its last six games. The Wildcats are 11-0 this season when they hold their opponents to fewer than 65 points.
Northwestern recorded 20 assists, its most in a Big Ten Tournament game. The 'Cats had six players with 3+ assists, marking the first time any Big Ten team has had six players with 3+ assists in a Big Ten Tournament game since at least 2005-06.
Graduate student Ty Berry tallied 14 points, converting 4-of-10 three-point attempts, seven rebounds, and three assists. He posted his eighth game of the season with 4+ threes.
Sophomore Jordan Clayton set a career-high with 11, making 5-of-7 field goal attempts, while pulling down four rebounds and dishing out four assists in a career-high 34 minutes.
"What a story, right?" Collins said. "For him to come out today on the biggest stage and to get 11 points and play great defense and take care of the ball."
Graduate student Matthew Nicholson stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks while posting a team-best +13 +/-.
Gallery: (3-12-2025) Men's Basketball vs. Minnesota
First-year K.J. Windham registered 10 points and four assists.
After an early 7-0 lead gave the 'Cats control of the contest, Northwestern extended the lead to nine late in the first half, but a 6-0 run from the Golden Gophers in the final 65 seconds in the half put the score at 32-29 in Northwestern's favor. Martinelli led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field.
During the second half's first ten minutes, Northwestern forced the Golden Gophers to shoot 2-of-15 from the field. The 'Cats led by as many as 15 points en route to their first Big Ten Tournament win since 2022 and their first defeat of Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament since 2011.
Northwestern faces the No.5-seed and nationally ranked No. 18 Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament Second Round inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse at approximately 1:30 p.m. CT tomorrow. The game will air on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
"Just really proud of our guys," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Everyone knows the kind of year we've been through. Our guys are just tough."
Northwestern led by three points at halftime and went on a 10-0 run early in the second half. The 'Cats led for nearly 39 minutes and grew their largest lead to 15 points with 4:45 remaining in the game.SEE YOU TOMORROW ?? pic.twitter.com/i9cu89RiiY
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) March 12, 2025
Martinelli became the 43rd player in school history to reach 1,000 career points, while also posting seven rebounds and three assists on 12-of-22 shooting. Martinelli's 28 points are the most by any Northwestern forward in a Big Ten Tournament game since 2005-06. Martinelli posted the first 28+ point, 7+ rebound, 3+ assist game by a Northwestern player since Pete Nance did so against Maryland on Jan. 12, 2022. He tallied his ninth 25-point game of the season.
Martinelli surpassed Boo Buie (2023-24) to move into second in single-season points in program history. He has scored 654 points this season, seven short of the program record set in the 2011-12 season by John Shurna (661). Martinelli holds the program's single-season field goals made record with 242.
"His competitive will has just been amazing, and he's playing great," Collins said. "I'm just so proud to be on his team, and honestly, I'm riding his wave. It's fun as a coach when you can ride a great player's wave and just kind of let his heart lead the way, and that's what's happening with this team."
Northwestern has held its opponent to fewer than 65 points in four of its last six games. The Wildcats are 11-0 this season when they hold their opponents to fewer than 65 points.
Northwestern recorded 20 assists, its most in a Big Ten Tournament game. The 'Cats had six players with 3+ assists, marking the first time any Big Ten team has had six players with 3+ assists in a Big Ten Tournament game since at least 2005-06.
Graduate student Ty Berry tallied 14 points, converting 4-of-10 three-point attempts, seven rebounds, and three assists. He posted his eighth game of the season with 4+ threes.
Sophomore Jordan Clayton set a career-high with 11, making 5-of-7 field goal attempts, while pulling down four rebounds and dishing out four assists in a career-high 34 minutes.
"What a story, right?" Collins said. "For him to come out today on the biggest stage and to get 11 points and play great defense and take care of the ball."
Graduate student Matthew Nicholson stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks while posting a team-best +13 +/-.
First-year K.J. Windham registered 10 points and four assists.
After an early 7-0 lead gave the 'Cats control of the contest, Northwestern extended the lead to nine late in the first half, but a 6-0 run from the Golden Gophers in the final 65 seconds in the half put the score at 32-29 in Northwestern's favor. Martinelli led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field.
During the second half's first ten minutes, Northwestern forced the Golden Gophers to shoot 2-of-15 from the field. The 'Cats led by as many as 15 points en route to their first Big Ten Tournament win since 2022 and their first defeat of Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament since 2011.
Northwestern faces the No.5-seed and nationally ranked No. 18 Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament Second Round inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse at approximately 1:30 p.m. CT tomorrow. The game will air on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
Team Stats
NU
MINN
FG%
.482
.377
3FG%
.286
.318
FT%
.545
.810
RB
36
32
TO
11
12
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
28
FGM
12
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
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