Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
22-11,12-8Big Ten
Florida Atlantic
25-9,14-4AAC
Cardiac ‘Cats Down Florida Atlantic in NCAA First Round Overtime Thriller, 77-65
3/22/2024 3:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Langborg, Buie both post 20-plus point efforts in win
BROOKLYN - Ryan Langborg erupted for a career-high 27 points, while Brooks Barnhizer converted on a layup with only nine seconds remaining to force overtime as ninth-seeded Northwestern defeated eighth-seeded Florida Atlantic (25-9, 14-4 AAC) by a 77-65 final this afternoon in an NCAA Tournament First Round matchup inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Wildcats (22-11, 12-8 B1G), who are now a perfect 3-0 in NCAA Tournament First Round contests, were led on the afternoon by stellar efforts from Langborg and Boo Buie, the latter of whom put up 22 points. Barnhizer rounded out a trio in double figures for Northwestern, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
How It HappenedTOUGHNESS. SEE YOU SUNDAY. pic.twitter.com/7HztExwbfj
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) March 22, 2024
In what would develop into a theme for the first half, offense proved tough to come by in the opening minutes. Both teams went scoreless for just over two minutes before a Luke Hunger split at the free throw line put Northwestern on the board, 1-0. Buie connected on the Wildcats' first make from the field at the 15:23 mark, drilling a corner triple to knot the score at 4-4.
Barnhizer looked to add a spark in the middle stages of the frame, providing the bookends to a 6-0 spurt that sent the 'Cats in front, 12-8, with 8:53 remaining. Florida Atlantic responded with the next eight points, with an Alijah Martin flush staking the Owls to a 16-12 lead.
Despite its struggles on the offense end, Northwestern continued to hang tough through its work on the defensive end, where it forced 12 Florida Atlantic turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. A Barnhizer trey briefly put the Wildcats back on top, 19-18, ahead of a Johnell Davis baseline jumper as time expired that sent Florida Atlantic into the intermission with a 20-19 edge.
Buie wasted no time going on the attack in the second half, hitting on his second three of the afternoon just 24 seconds in to put Northwestern on top, 22-20. Langborg drilled mid-range jumpers on back-to-back trips shortly after to give the 'Cats a 26-22 edge with just under two minutes gone. A Buie step back three shortly after highlighted a 7-0 surge that saw the lead stretch to 35-27 following another Langborg score.
After a Nick Martinelli turnaround hook shot in the lane gave Northwestern its largest lead to that point, 50-41, Florida Atlantic looked to mount a charge. Brandon Weatherspoon hit on a three that cut the gap to 54-50 and prompted a Wildcat timeout at the 5:19 mark. Buie drove inside on Northwestern's ensuing possession to make it 56-50, but the Owls responded with an 8-0 surge, capped off by a Davis jumper in the paint to go in front, 58-56, with just over a minute remaining.
Staring at a two-point deficit with time winding down, Barnhizer came through with one of the day's defining moments, driving inside to score with nine seconds remaining to tie the game at 58-58. A desperation three from Davis as time expired went array, setting the stage for overtime.
Langborg came out firing on all cylinders to begin the extra session, rattling off Northwestern's first seven points, the last three of which came on a trey with 3:19 to go to give the 'Cats a 65-59 lead. Following a Buie jumper that pushed the margin to eight, 67-59, Langborg connected on another three with the shot clock winding down to extend the gap to double digits, 70-59. Northwestern would cruise to the final horn from there as it punched its ticket to Sunday's Second Round.
Game Notes
» After shooting just over 21 percent (7-for-33) in the first half, Northwestern operated a torrid 61 percent clip (22-for-36) the rest of the day.
» The Wildcats finished a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in overtime.
» Langborg was outstanding, finishing with a career-high 27 points (11-19 FGs, 3-8 3FGs, 2-2 FTs).
» Langborg put up 25 points in the second half and overtime, 12 of which came in overtime alone.
» Buie willed his way to 22 points (8-20 FGs, 4-10 3FGs, 2-2 FTs), four assists, and five steals.
» This afternoon marked Buie's 18th 20-plus point showing of 2023-24.
» Barnhizer posted 13 points (6-12 FGs, 1-2 3FGs) and 10 rebounds en route to his 10th double-double of the year.
» Barnhizer has double-doubles in five of his last seven outings.
» Led by four helpers apiece from Buie and Hunger, Northwestern assisted on 20 of its 29 made field goals.
» The 'Cats forced Florida Atlantic into a season-high 21 turnovers.
» Vladislav Golden paced Florida Atlantic with 19 points.
Up Next
Northwestern will now turn its attention towards a clash with top-seeded UConn in an NCAA Tournament Second Round game on Sunday in Brooklyn, N.Y. A tip-off time and television network are to be announced.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
