Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
20-10,11-8Big Ten
Michigan State
18-12,10-9Big Ten
Northwestern Falls in Rock Fight at Michigan State, 53-49
3/6/2024 8:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Northwestern held Michigan State to 32% shooting from the field and a season-low 53 points but could not pull out the win in a 53-49 loss at the Breslin Center on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats (20-10, 11-8 B1G) had three players score in double figures, led by Boo Buie's 15 points. Nick Martinelli added 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Brooks Barnhizer logged his eighth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Northwestern's defense held Michigan State (18-12, 10-9 B1G) to season-lows in points (53), field goals made (19), and field goal percentage (31.7%) in the game. MSU's 31.7% field goal percentage marked the lowest by a Wildcat opponent since a 65-46 win over Arizona State on December 20, 2023. MSU's field goal percentage is the lowest by a Northwestern opponent in a loss since falling 43-42 against Auburn on November 23, 2022.
How It Happened
Northwestern jumped out to a 14-7 lead and entered halftime with a 25-20 advantage. Michigan State's 20 first half points matched its previous season-low first half points, set against Duke on November 14, 2023.
Michigan State started the second half hot, taking a 42-38 lead before Northwestern went on a 7-0 run to seize a 45-42 lead with 6:27 to go in the contest. Northwestern led 46-45 with 4:28 to go in the game and eventually trailed by five with 1:44 to play. Ryan Langborg, who returned to the lineup after missing the last two games, nailed a 3-pointer with 58 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 2. The 'Cats had a chance to take the lead, but missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.
Game Notes
» Northwestern's defense held Michigan State to season-lows in points (53), field goals made (19), and field goal percentage (31.7%) in the game.
» Northwestern is 5-6 in Quad 1 games this season.
» The loss snapped Northwestern's three-game win streak over Michigan State.
» Brooks Barnhizer logged his eighth double-double of the 2023-24 season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
» Barnhizer moves into a tie for fourth place with Evan Eschmeyer (1996-97) in Northwestern's single-season double-double leaderboard (since 1996-97).
» Boo Buie led all Wildcats with 15 points on 3-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
» Buie is shooting a team-best 43.1% behind the arc on the season and holds a 48.6% in conference play.
» Nick Martinelli tallied 12 points, his third consecutive game in double figures.
» Martinelli notched a career-high two blocks.
Northwestern returns home for Senior Night and the regular season final and welcomes Minnesota to Welsh-Ryan Arena at 8 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 9. The game will air on BTN and ESPN 1000 WMVP.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
