Northwestern University Athletics
Tuesday, December 30
Evanston, Ill.
4 p.m. CT
Northwestern
8-5,0-2Big Ten
80
vs
60
Howard
9-6,0-0MEAC
1
2
F
Howard
28
32
60
Northwestern
31
49
80
Photo by: Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Wraps Up Non-Conference Slate with 80-60 Win Over Howard
12/30/2025 7:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. — After a 10-day break from game action, Northwestern rounded off its non-conference slate with an 80-60 victory over Howard on Tuesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Senior forward Nick Martinelli tied his career-high with 32 points and added six rebounds, two blocks and two steals as the Wildcats (8-5, 0-2 Big Ten) improved to 6-1 at home in the win against the Bison (9-6).
"He led us like a senior All-American should," Collins said. "So many other guys stepped up. I couldn't be more proud of the group."
Martinelli, who returned to the lineup after missing the Butler matchup, said he was grateful to be back on the floor.
"It's the same message every game, 'You gotta step up in whatever role you are [in],'" Martinelli said. "I played the five basically the whole game today. I didn't care — five, one, it doesn't matter what I play. That's the mentality everybody had."
First-year forward Tre Singleton posted a career-high 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Singleton became the first NU first-year to record 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks in a game since at least 2004-05.
Collins said he hopes Singleton's standout showing serves as a "springboard" on the precipice of Big Ten play.
"I've been doing this for a long time, and he's a really good player," Collins said of Singleton. "I've just been imploring him to attack and to be aggressive and [trust] his instincts. He's such a great all-around basketball player, and I thought he did that today. I said, 'Man, that's what I've been waiting to see.'"
Joining Martinelli and Singleton in double figures, senior forward Justin Mullins tallied 12 points on a 4-of-5 clip from 3-point range.
Mullins scored all of his points in the first half and jumped to make a chase-down block following his lone miss in the second half.
"His four threes gave us life," Collins said. "I just thought his energy was great."
Gallery: (12-30-2025) Men's Basketball vs. Howard
Northwestern recorded 21 assists on 26 made field goals while committing just five turnovers on Tuesday night. On the other end of the floor, the 'Cats forced the visitors into 14 turnovers.
Although Howard battled to keep the margin within three points at halftime, the Wildcats outscored the Bison 49-32 in the game's latter 20 minutes.
Martinelli and Singleton proved a formidable frontcourt duo in the second frame, combining for 34 second-half points as Northwestern powered to the final horn.
With their non-conference schedule complete, the Wildcats now shift their focus to their final 18 conference games.
"You can't be dropping a lot of home games if you want to be relevant in this league," Collins said. "We need to have all hands on deck and be ready for a fight on Saturday afternoon."
Northwestern will host Minnesota in a Big Ten clash on Saturday, Jan. 3. Tip-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena is slated for 4 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and ESPN 1000 WMVP.
Senior forward Nick Martinelli tied his career-high with 32 points and added six rebounds, two blocks and two steals as the Wildcats (8-5, 0-2 Big Ten) improved to 6-1 at home in the win against the Bison (9-6).
"He led us like a senior All-American should," Collins said. "So many other guys stepped up. I couldn't be more proud of the group."
'CATS WIN! ?? pic.twitter.com/igF8FXhKo1
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) December 30, 2025
Martinelli, who returned to the lineup after missing the Butler matchup, said he was grateful to be back on the floor.
"It's the same message every game, 'You gotta step up in whatever role you are [in],'" Martinelli said. "I played the five basically the whole game today. I didn't care — five, one, it doesn't matter what I play. That's the mentality everybody had."
First-year forward Tre Singleton posted a career-high 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Singleton became the first NU first-year to record 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks in a game since at least 2004-05.
Collins said he hopes Singleton's standout showing serves as a "springboard" on the precipice of Big Ten play.
"I've been doing this for a long time, and he's a really good player," Collins said of Singleton. "I've just been imploring him to attack and to be aggressive and [trust] his instincts. He's such a great all-around basketball player, and I thought he did that today. I said, 'Man, that's what I've been waiting to see.'"
Joining Martinelli and Singleton in double figures, senior forward Justin Mullins tallied 12 points on a 4-of-5 clip from 3-point range.
Mullins scored all of his points in the first half and jumped to make a chase-down block following his lone miss in the second half.
"His four threes gave us life," Collins said. "I just thought his energy was great."
Northwestern recorded 21 assists on 26 made field goals while committing just five turnovers on Tuesday night. On the other end of the floor, the 'Cats forced the visitors into 14 turnovers.
Although Howard battled to keep the margin within three points at halftime, the Wildcats outscored the Bison 49-32 in the game's latter 20 minutes.
Martinelli and Singleton proved a formidable frontcourt duo in the second frame, combining for 34 second-half points as Northwestern powered to the final horn.
With their non-conference schedule complete, the Wildcats now shift their focus to their final 18 conference games.
"You can't be dropping a lot of home games if you want to be relevant in this league," Collins said. "We need to have all hands on deck and be ready for a fight on Saturday afternoon."
Northwestern will host Minnesota in a Big Ten clash on Saturday, Jan. 3. Tip-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena is slated for 4 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and ESPN 1000 WMVP.
Team Stats
HOW
NU
FG%
.400
.464
3FG%
.364
.353
FT%
.615
.647
RB
35
36
TO
14
5
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Pts
32
FGM
10
3FGM
1
FTM
11
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
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