Martinelli’s 28 Points Fuel 72-68 Road Win over Indiana

Tuesday, February 24

Bloomington, Ind.

6 p.m. CT

Northwestern

12-16,4-13Big Ten

Indiana

17-11,8-9Big Ten

Northwestern

Indiana

Martinelli’s 28 Points Fuel 72-68 Road Win over Indiana

2/24/2026 9:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By: Jake Epstein, NUSports.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Northwestern secured its sixth consecutive victory over Indiana, prevailing 72-68 on Tuesday night in Assembly Hall. The Wildcats have now won four straight games in Bloomington.

"It's just really fun to go back to the locker room and celebrate with these guys," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "These players, these coaches, they put a lot into this. To be able to come in here tonight and play a team that's vying for an NCAA Tournament appearance, come on their home floor and beat them is just a huge win."

SIX STRAIGHT OVER IU ?? pic.twitter.com/4muipGvCtM
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 25, 2026

Senior forward Nick Martinelli scored a game-high 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting to lift the Wildcats (12-16, 4-13 Big Ten) to a comeback win against the Hoosiers (17-11, 8-9 Big Ten). NU held Indiana to just 26 second-half points in a dominant final 20 minutes.

"So many guys stepped up," Collins said. "In the second half, our defense really stiffened. Our communication was great. We made them take tougher shots."

In addition to his prolific scoring display, Martinelli added five rebounds and three assists.

Nick Martinelli. Take us home. pic.twitter.com/nXQ6ZogSc3
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 25, 2026

First-year guard Jake West poured in 16 points, burying 3-of-5 attempts from 3-point-range. He knocked down four shots at the charity stripe in the closing moments to help the 'Cats seal the result.

"I just remember all the hard late nights, early mornings in the gym, shooting free throws by myself," West said. "It's for moments like this. This is a legendary gym, and I'm just blessed to be here. I took it as a challenge, and I knocked them all down."

Joining Martinelli and West in double figures, junior forward Arrinten Page tallied 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore guard Angelo Ciaravino chipped in nine points and five rebounds.

Northwestern forced Indiana into 10 turnovers and held the Hoosiers to a 35.7% clip from beyond the arc. The 'Cats commanded the rebounding battle 34-23.

While the Wildcats jumped out to an early 9-8 lead, Indiana held a 42-33 halftime advantage. But NU bunkered down on defense as play resumed.

The 'Cats outscored the hosts 39-22 in the second half, taking advantage of trips to the foul line and holding the Hoosiers without a make from the field during a crucial late-game stretch. A Martinelli 3-pointer gave Northwestern a 63-61 lead with 2:58 remaining. The Wildcats never relinquished their lead from that juncture.

"We just stuck to the game plan," West said of the second half's defensive clinic. "Just play hard defense, and our shots were going to come. They started to cool off, and we just have a lot of energy. I'm really proud of these guys."

Northwestern limited Indiana to a 30.8% field goal percentage in the second half and a 2-of-12 clip on threes. The Hoosiers' second-half display marked the lowest field goal percentage the 'Cats have allowed in a half in conference play this season.

"There's a lot of newness out there, playing in big games and closing games with each other," Collins said. "These guys have stuck together. To say that we've won here four times in a row — this is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball — is a great testament to some tough-minded kids, because this is not an easy place to win."

The Wildcats will return to action at home against Oregon on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tipoff from Welsh-Ryan Arena is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.