- Nick Martinelli dominates with 28 points on 12-of-22 shooting
- Wildcats use 12-3 second-half surge to build double-digit lead
- Clutch free throws secure victory despite late Minnesota rally
- Northwestern advances to face No. 5 Wisconsin in second round
Sophomore forward Nick Martinelli delivered a career-defining performance Wednesday, scoring 28 points to lead Northwestern to a 72-64 victory over Minnesota in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Wildcats’ triumph at Gainbridge Fieldhouse marked their first conference tournament win since 2022, setting up a Thursday showdown with fifth-seeded Wisconsin.
Northwestern (17-15) seized control early in the second half with a decisive 12-3 run, transforming a 32-29 halftime lead into a 44-32 advantage. Five different Wildcats contributed during the critical stretch, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive approach. Martinelli, the conference’s leading scorer at 20.2 points per game, converted 54.5% of his field goal attempts but struggled at the foul line, missing six of ten free throws.
The Golden Gophers (15-17) mounted a late comeback attempt behind Mike Mitchell Jr., who trimmed Northwestern’s lead to 67-60 with 45 seconds remaining through a personal five-point surge. However, clutch free throws from Matthew Nicholson and K.J. Windham in the final minute preserved the Wildcats’ advantage. Windham finished with 10 points, including three crucial makes from the charity stripe in the closing moments.
This matchup marked the third meeting between these programs in six Big Ten Tournaments, all occurring in the 12-13 seed game. Northwestern’s victory continues their recent dominance in the series, having now won four of the last five postseason encounters. The Wildcats’ ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved pivotal, outrebounding Minnesota 38-31 while scoring 14 points off offensive boards.
From a regional perspective, the Indianapolis-hosted tournament continues to drive significant economic impact, with local hotels reporting 92% occupancy during event days. Basketball analysts note that Midwest teams like Northwestern benefit from reduced travel fatigue in the conference tournament setup, potentially contributing to their 4-2 record in neutral-site games this season.
Looking ahead, Northwestern faces a formidable challenge against Wisconsin, who won the teams’ regular-season meeting 75-69 in February. Historical data suggests tournament underdogs facing rematches improve their defensive efficiency by 8% on average, a trend the Wildcats will need to continue. With NCAA Tournament hopes still alive, Thursday’s game could determine whether Northwestern secures its third March Madness bid in program history.
