Sunday, December 29
Evanston, Ill.
12:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
10-3,1-1Big Ten
85
vs
60
Northeastern
8-5,0-0CAA
1
2
F
Northeastern
33
27
60
Northwestern
35
50
85
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Berry Reaches 1,000 Career Points, ‘Cats Defeat Huskies, 85-60
12/29/2024 4:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. - Fueled by a strong defensive effort and a 50-point second half, Northwestern rallied back from an early 13-point deficit to handily defeat Northeastern, 85-60, in the last non-conference matchup of the season for both teams on Sunday inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats finished the 2024 calendar year 16-1 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Senior Brooks Barnhizer posted his sixth consecutive double-double, becoming the first Wildcat to do so since Evan Eschmeyer in 1997, with 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high five steals. He is the only player in the country to post at least these numbers in a game this season and the first high-major player to do so since Dennis Smith Jr. (NC State) in 2017. Barnhizer recorded his 19th career double-double. He logged his third 20+ point, 10+ rebound, and 5+ assist game of the season, which is tied with Auburn's Johni Broome for the most in the country.
The Wildcats (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) forced the Huskies (8-5, 0-0 CAA) to turn the ball over 22 times, their most turnovers since 2015. Northwestern last forced a team to turn the ball over at least 22 times for the first time since Dec. 17, 2022, against DePaul. The Wildcats recorded 15 steals in the process, their most in a game since Nov. 9, 2021, against Eastern Illinois (16). It's the second time under Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins' tenure that Northwestern has notched at least 15 steals in a game.
Graduate student Ty Berry scored a game-high 23 points, converting 8-of-10 field goal attempts and 5-of-7 of his 3-point attempts. He scored his 1,000th career point on a 3-pointer with 5:58 remaining in the game, becoming the 41st player in school history to reach the benchmark. During the game, he moved up to eighth on the Northwestern career 3-pointers list with 207 made treys, passing Todd Lesie (1989-94). Berry led the team in scoring for the 10th time in his career and became the first Wildcat to score 20+ points on at least 80% shooting since Nick Martinelli did so on Dec. 10, 2023, against Detroit Mercy.
With the win, Northwestern has started the season 10-3 or better in each of the last three seasons and started the season 8-0 at home for the first time since the 2016-17 season. The Wildcats have concluded non-conference regular season play with two or fewer losses in each of the last four seasons.
After falling behind 22-9 in the opening ten minutes of action, Northwestern went on a 9-0 run from 9:53 to 7:48 in the first half to cut the lead to single-digits. With 3:12 remaining in the half, Leach drained a three in the left corner for the 'Cats to take the lead for the first time in the contest.
The Huskies shortly took the lead back, but a Berry triple with 30 seconds remaining in the half gave Northwestern a 35-33 lead heading into halftime. Northeastern converted eight threes in the first half but turned the ball over 10 times.
Gallery: (12-29-2024) Men's Basketball vs. Northeastern
A Berry three opened the second half for the 'Cats, as they led for the last 17 minutes of the game. The Wildcats went on a 7-0 run from 17:56 to 16:55 and a 10-0 run from 14:37 to 13:13 in the second half, as the lead ballooned to 17 seven minutes into the half.
A Barnhizer and-one on a fast-break with 3:58 remaining was Northwestern's 75th point and extended the lead to 20. Northwestern's final of 85 points was the most points scored against Northeastern all season. The Wildcats have scored 70+ points in five consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 11 to Nov. 16, 2021.
Northwestern returns to Big Ten play when it travels to University Park to take on Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. CT. The game will air on Peacock and WGN Radio 720.
Senior Brooks Barnhizer posted his sixth consecutive double-double, becoming the first Wildcat to do so since Evan Eschmeyer in 1997, with 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high five steals. He is the only player in the country to post at least these numbers in a game this season and the first high-major player to do so since Dennis Smith Jr. (NC State) in 2017. Barnhizer recorded his 19th career double-double. He logged his third 20+ point, 10+ rebound, and 5+ assist game of the season, which is tied with Auburn's Johni Broome for the most in the country.
The Wildcats (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) forced the Huskies (8-5, 0-0 CAA) to turn the ball over 22 times, their most turnovers since 2015. Northwestern last forced a team to turn the ball over at least 22 times for the first time since Dec. 17, 2022, against DePaul. The Wildcats recorded 15 steals in the process, their most in a game since Nov. 9, 2021, against Eastern Illinois (16). It's the second time under Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins' tenure that Northwestern has notched at least 15 steals in a game.
Graduate student Ty Berry scored a game-high 23 points, converting 8-of-10 field goal attempts and 5-of-7 of his 3-point attempts. He scored his 1,000th career point on a 3-pointer with 5:58 remaining in the game, becoming the 41st player in school history to reach the benchmark. During the game, he moved up to eighth on the Northwestern career 3-pointers list with 207 made treys, passing Todd Lesie (1989-94). Berry led the team in scoring for the 10th time in his career and became the first Wildcat to score 20+ points on at least 80% shooting since Nick Martinelli did so on Dec. 10, 2023, against Detroit Mercy.
Junior Nick Martinelli scored 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while graduate student Jalen Leach also scored in double digits with 11 points while dishing out four assists. Graduate student Matthew Nicholson contributed seven points and six rebounds, and junior Justin Mullins had four steals.Happy New Year! ?? pic.twitter.com/8YXXFtnCpa
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 29, 2024
With the win, Northwestern has started the season 10-3 or better in each of the last three seasons and started the season 8-0 at home for the first time since the 2016-17 season. The Wildcats have concluded non-conference regular season play with two or fewer losses in each of the last four seasons.
After falling behind 22-9 in the opening ten minutes of action, Northwestern went on a 9-0 run from 9:53 to 7:48 in the first half to cut the lead to single-digits. With 3:12 remaining in the half, Leach drained a three in the left corner for the 'Cats to take the lead for the first time in the contest.
The Huskies shortly took the lead back, but a Berry triple with 30 seconds remaining in the half gave Northwestern a 35-33 lead heading into halftime. Northeastern converted eight threes in the first half but turned the ball over 10 times.
A Berry three opened the second half for the 'Cats, as they led for the last 17 minutes of the game. The Wildcats went on a 7-0 run from 17:56 to 16:55 and a 10-0 run from 14:37 to 13:13 in the second half, as the lead ballooned to 17 seven minutes into the half.
A Barnhizer and-one on a fast-break with 3:58 remaining was Northwestern's 75th point and extended the lead to 20. Northwestern's final of 85 points was the most points scored against Northeastern all season. The Wildcats have scored 70+ points in five consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 11 to Nov. 16, 2021.
Northwestern returns to Big Ten play when it travels to University Park to take on Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. CT. The game will air on Peacock and WGN Radio 720.
Team Stats
NE
NU
FG%
.511
.536
3FG%
.409
.360
FT%
.750
.727
RB
25
27
TO
22
6
STL
3
15
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
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