Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, February 14
Lincoln, Neb.
Noon CT
Northwestern
10-16,2-13Big Ten
49
at
68
#7 Nebraska
22-3,11-3Big Ten
1
2
F
Northwestern
27
22
49
Nebraska
28
40
68
NU Drops Second Straight Top-10 Tilt, Falls 68-49 at No. 7 Nebraska
2/14/2026 2:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LINCOLN, Neb. — Northwestern fell 68-49 to No. 7 Nebraska on Saturday afternoon inside Pinnacle Bank Arena.
"We are playing really hard against a top-10 team in the country to be on the road in a great environment down one with 12 minutes to go," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Similar to what we did with Michigan, we showed compete for long stretches of games. We just have not been able to do it for 40 minutes."
The Wildcats (10-16, 2-13 Big Ten) forced the Cornhuskers (22-3, 11-3 Big Ten) into 18 turnovers and scored 27 points off turnovers — a season-best in conference play this season.
Senior forward Nick Martinelli posted a team-high 11 points, while first-year guard Jake West tallied seven points, four assists and three steals. Martinelli's 11 points brought his career total to 1,580 career points, moving him into 10th place in school history, passing Kevin Rankin (1,575, 1990-94).
After a low-scoring first half, Nebraska held a 28-27 halftime lead.
NU held the Cornhuskers to a 36% field goal percentage in the opening 20 minutes of action. The 'Cats forced the hosts into 10 first-half turnovers, their most forced turnovers in a half this season.
While Northwestern stood within striking distance with just over 12 minutes remaining, down 40-39, UNL entered another gear at the game's decisive stretch and closed out the contest.
"We struggled offensively all night, but I thought our defense was really good," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Then in the last 12 minutes, we just really struggled on both ends of the floor."
The Wildcats will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at home against Maryland. Tipoff from Welsh-Ryan Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
"We are playing really hard against a top-10 team in the country to be on the road in a great environment down one with 12 minutes to go," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Similar to what we did with Michigan, we showed compete for long stretches of games. We just have not been able to do it for 40 minutes."
The Wildcats (10-16, 2-13 Big Ten) forced the Cornhuskers (22-3, 11-3 Big Ten) into 18 turnovers and scored 27 points off turnovers — a season-best in conference play this season.
Senior forward Nick Martinelli posted a team-high 11 points, while first-year guard Jake West tallied seven points, four assists and three steals. Martinelli's 11 points brought his career total to 1,580 career points, moving him into 10th place in school history, passing Kevin Rankin (1,575, 1990-94).
While Northwestern fell into an early six-point deficit, the Wildcats launched a 15-4 run to jump ahead 17-12 at the under-eight timeout.Nick Martinelli has moved into 10th place in school history with 1,577 career points ?? pic.twitter.com/sD7a19AafW
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) February 14, 2026
After a low-scoring first half, Nebraska held a 28-27 halftime lead.
NU held the Cornhuskers to a 36% field goal percentage in the opening 20 minutes of action. The 'Cats forced the hosts into 10 first-half turnovers, their most forced turnovers in a half this season.
While Northwestern stood within striking distance with just over 12 minutes remaining, down 40-39, UNL entered another gear at the game's decisive stretch and closed out the contest.
"We struggled offensively all night, but I thought our defense was really good," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "Then in the last 12 minutes, we just really struggled on both ends of the floor."
The Wildcats will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at home against Maryland. Tipoff from Welsh-Ryan Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
Team Stats
NU
Nebr
FG%
.400
.453
3FG%
.200
.440
FT%
.545
.750
RB
24
40
TO
16
18
STL
9
10
Game Leaders
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball - Nebraska Postgame Press Conference (2/14/26)
Saturday, February 14
Men's Basketball - 'Cats Fall at No. 7 Nebraska (2/14/26)
Saturday, February 14
Men's Basketball - Michigan Postgame Press Conference (2/11/26)
Thursday, February 12
Men's Basketball - Northwestern Comes up Short vs. No. 2 Michigan (2/11/26)
Thursday, February 12
