Northwestern Grinds Out 68-63 Win over Penn State

Sunday, February 11

Evanston, Ill.

Noon CT

Northwestern

17-7,8-5Big Ten

Penn State

12-12,6-7Big Ten

Penn St.

Northwestern

Photo by: GRIFFIN QUINN/Northwestern Athletics

Northwestern Grinds Out 68-63 Win over Penn State

2/11/2024 3:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern saw all five starters score in double figures as Northwestern defeated Penn State 68-63 inside Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday afternoon. The Wildcats swept the regular season series over the Nittany Lions for the first time since 2012, and moved into third place in the Big Ten Conference standings.

Gritty Sunday W ?? pic.twitter.com/rp70Oq12Dw
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 11, 2024

The Wildcats (17-7, 8-5 B1G) had five players score in double figures, led by Boo Buie, who had 15 points and six assists. Brooks Barnhizer added 14 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks and Ryan Langborg chipped in as well with 14 points. In his first career start, Nick Martinelli posted 11 points, a career-high eight rebounds, and one steal. Matthew Nicholson played his most complete game of the season posting 11 points and eight rebounds.

How It Happened

After falling behind 22-18, Northwestern used a 6-0 run with 6:15 remaining in the first half to take a 24-22 lead. The 'Cats entered halftime with a 29-27 advantage. The 'Cats held a 19-12 advantage in rebounds in the first half and a 14-1 first half edge in second chance points.

Gallery: (2-11-2024) Men's Basketball vs. Penn State

After Penn State grabbed a lead early in the second half, Northwestern took a 34-33 lead with 16:20 remaining in regulation and never trailed. Buie led all 'Cats with 12 points in the second half on 5-for-5 shooting from the free throw line.

Game Notes
» Five different Wildcats finished in double figures (Buie, Martinelli, Langborg, Barnhizer, Nicholson), the fifth game this season that 5+ Wildcats have scored in double figures (also done at Purdue, vs. Ohio State, vs. Michigan State, vs. Northern Illinois).
» It marks just the third time in the last 13 seasons the Wildcats shot below 32 percent from the field in a win (also vs. Prairie View A&M on 12/11/22 and vs. Indiana on 2/8/22).
» Northwestern swept the regular season series against Penn State for the first time since 2012.
» The Wildcats outrebounded the Nittany Lions 39-33, and dominated the offensive glass with a 13-3 advantage.
» The 'Cats forced 11 turnovers while committing only six.
» Nick Martinelli made his first career start.
    » Martinelli pulled down a career-high eight rebounds, surpassing his previous high of six last set vs. Michigan State (1/7/24) and vs. Detroit Mercy (12/10/23).
» Barnhizer led all Wildcats with nine first half points.
    » Barnhizer totaled 14 points in the game while pulling down nine rebounds.
» Buie poured in 12 of his 15 points in the second half.
» Langborg chipped in 14 points and shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
» Nicholson notched 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds
    » Nicholson's eight rebounds matched his season high
    » Nicholson drained three free throws, his highest in conference play this season

Northwestern hits the road to take on Rutgers on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. CT on BTN and ESPN 1000 WMVP.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.