Martinelli, Barnhizer Lead Northwestern Past Maryland, 68-61

Wednesday, February 28

College Park, Md.

6 p.m. CT

Northwestern

20-8,11-6Big Ten

Maryland

15-14,7-11Big Ten

Northwestern

Maryland

Photo by: Griffin Quinn / Northwestern Athletics

Martinelli, Barnhizer Lead Northwestern Past Maryland, 68-61

2/28/2024 8:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Nick Martinelli posted a career-high 27 points on 9-for-14 shooting to lead Northwestern over Maryland, 68-61, earning its first season sweep of the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2012 on Wednesday night inside XFINITY Center. The Wildcats improved to 20-8 overall and 11-6 in the Big Ten Conference, reaching the 20-win mark for the second straight season and sixth time in program history.

NEXT MAN UP ?? pic.twitter.com/qVwK7KnI0C
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 29, 2024

Brooks Barnhizer added his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, moving him into a tie for second place on Northwestern's single-season double-double leaderboard (since 2010-11). Barnhizer is tied with Alex Olah (7, 2014-15) and one behind Dererk Pardon (8, 2018-19).

The Wildcats earned the win on the defensive end of the floor, holding Maryland to just 39% from the field and 9% from three-point range (2-for-22). NU improves to 11-1 this season when holding its opponents to 65 points or fewer this season.

The 'Cats have secured a league record above .500 for the third time since 1968-69.

How It Happened
After falling behind 14-13, Northwestern rattled off a 7-0 run with 6:31 left in the first half to take a 20-14 lead. NU took a 29-24 lead into halftime. The Wildcats held Maryland to just 7% from 3-point range (1-for-14) in the first half.

The 'Cats used a 7-0 run to take a 51-42 lead with 8:01 remaining in the game. Northwestern led 46-42 with 9:23 left in the second half Blake Smith converted an and-1 play and then asisted on a Martinelli basket to help grow the lead to eight point. The Wildcats made 10 consecutive free-throws to close out the game for a 68-61 win.

Game Notes
» The Wildcats improved to 5-5 in NET Quad 1 games.
» Northwestern limited Maryland to just 7% from three-point range in the first half and 9% for the game
» The Wildcats outrebounded Maryland 33-31.
    » NU improves to 15-2 when outrebounding its opponent.
» NU improves to 11-1 when holding its opponents to 65 points or fewer.
» Nick Martinelli scored a career-high 27 points on 9-for-14 from the field.
    » Martinelli led all Wildcats with 12 points and five rebounds in the first half.
    » Martinelli is the first Wildcat to post 27-plus points and 7-plus rebounds since Pete Nance did so against Maryland on January 12, 2022.
» Blake Smith earned his first career start.
    » Smith posted career highs in points (6), field goals (1), rebounds (5), assists (1), and minutes (27).
» Brooks Barnhizer recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
    » Barnhizer's seven double-doubles are tied for the second-most in a single-season (since 2010-11), trailing only Dererk Pardon's eight in 2018-19.
    » Barnhizer went 10-for-10 from the charity stripe, the second time this season he's shot 100% from the free-throw stripe on 10 attempts.
» Boo Buie posted 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.
    » Tonight's game marked Buie's 143rd in a Wildcat uniform, matching Drew Crawford for most games played at Northwestern.

Northwestern returns home to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a matchup with Iowa on Saturday, March 2, at 4:30 p.m. CT on BTN and ESPN 1000 WMVP.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.