Northwestern
12-4,3-2Big Ten
#15 Wisconsin
13-3,5-0Big Ten
Buie Scores 22, 'Cats Drop Tight Battle at No. 15 Wisconsin
1/13/2024 1:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MADISON, Wis. – Boo Buie totaled 22 points, his eighth 20-point performance of the season, but Northwestern (12-4, 3-2 B1G) could not complete a second half comeback effort in a 71-63 setback to No. 15 Wisconsin (13-3, 5-0 B1G) on Saturday at the Kohl Center.
Buie added two steals and two assists to his team-high 22 point effort. Brooks Barnhizer added 13 points and four assists, while Nick Martinelli chipped in with six points and five rebounds off the bench. Barnhizer led all Wildcats with 10 points in the second half and logged all four of his assists over the final 20 minutes.
The Northwestern defense was effective at taking away the basketball, forcing 13 Wisconsin turnovers on the afternoon. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor. Five different Wildcats recorded steals, led by Buie with two.
How It Happened
After falling behind 32-20, Northwestern went on a 5-0 run with 2:39 left in the first half to narrow its deficit to 32-25, a score that would hold until halftime. Buie led the 'Cats with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first half.
The Wildcats continued to narrow the Badger deficit throughout the second half, culminating with a Ty Berry three to tie the game, 61-61, with 4:16 remaining in the game. Matthew Nicholson knocked down a pair of free throws to even the score at 63 with 2:51 to go, but Wisconsin responded and outscored the Wildcats the rest of the way, ending the game with a 71-63 final score.
Game Notes
» The Northwestern defense forced 13 turnovers, including six in the first seven minutes of the game.» Boo Buie led the Wildcats with 22 points. It marks Buie's team-leading eighth 20-point output of the season.
» Buie is now averaging 21.8 points per game and 5.8 assists in conference play this season, while shooting 47.3 percent (35-of-74) from the field and 40 percent (10-of-25) from beyond the arc.
» Northwestern got five rebounds from Matthew Nicholson, Ty Berry and Nick Martinelli to tie for the team-lead.
» Nick Martinelli matched his career high with 29 minutes. Martinelli totaled six points and five rebounds, with four of his points and all five rebounds coming in the first half.
» Brooks Barnhizer led the Wildcats with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the second half. Barnhizer also logged all four of his assists for the 'Cats in the second half.
» After shooting 36 percent (9-of-25) in the first half, the Wildcats shot 48 percent (14-of-29) in the second half.
Northwestern returns to action on Wednesday, Jan 17, when the Wildcats host Maryland inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. CT on BTN and ESPN 1000 AM.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
