Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, March 7
Minneapolis, Minn.
8 p.m. CT
Northwestern
13-18,5-15Big Ten
66
at
67
Minnesota
15-16,8-12Big Ten
1
2
F
Northwestern
29
37
66
Minnesota
39
28
67
Martinelli Sets NU’s Single-Season Scoring Record in 67-66 Loss at Minnesota
3/7/2026 11:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS — Senior forward Nick Martinelli surpassed his own single-season scoring record in a 23-point, nine-rebound performance, but Northwestern ultimately fell 67-66 to Minnesota in its regular season finale on Saturday night in Williams Arena.
While the Wildcats (13-18, 5-15 Big Ten) erased a 10-point halftime deficit and jumped ahead with just 1:34 to play, the Golden Gophers (15-16, 8-12 Big Ten) hit the game-winner on their final possession.
"Our guys fought back, they clawed back," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "In the second half, we played well. The fight was much more indicative of what we wanted to do coming into the game."
Martinelli posted game-highs in scoring and rebounding. The senior's single-season scoring record sits at 682 points, eclipsing his previous school record of 676 points.
Joining Martinelli and West in double figures, first-year forward Tre Singleton turned in 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Junior guard Jordan Clayton dished out a team-high six assists and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. Clayton canned a go-ahead trey to give NU its first lead of the game inside the final two minutes.
Defensively, the 'Cats forced the Gophers into 11 turnovers — eight of which came in the second half — and held the hosts to a 35.3% 3-point clip.
Minnesota launched a quick start to the contest and held a 39-29 halftime lead. But Northwestern battled back into contention with a strong second-half display. Behind an 11-2 run, the Wildcats charged ahead 64-63.
Sophomore guard Angelo Ciaravino hit a pair of free throws to extend NU's advantage to 66-63 with 34 seconds remaining, but the Gophers scored the game's final four points to nab the win.
"Next time we lose, we don't have any more games guaranteed," Collins said. "You talk about playing every game like it's your last. This now rings true. We have to keep winning to keep our season alive. Hopefully, we'll have that kind of urgency: survive and advance."
The Wildcats will open the Big Ten Tournament against No. 18-seed Penn State on Tuesday, March 10, in the United Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 25 minutes after the conclusion of the No. 16-seed vs No. 17-seed game, which begins at 4 p.m. CT.
While the Wildcats (13-18, 5-15 Big Ten) erased a 10-point halftime deficit and jumped ahead with just 1:34 to play, the Golden Gophers (15-16, 8-12 Big Ten) hit the game-winner on their final possession.
"Our guys fought back, they clawed back," Sullivan-Ubben Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Collins said. "In the second half, we played well. The fight was much more indicative of what we wanted to do coming into the game."
Martinelli posted game-highs in scoring and rebounding. The senior's single-season scoring record sits at 682 points, eclipsing his previous school record of 676 points.
First-year guard Jake West recorded 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and four assists. West buried 4-of-7 triples.He Gets Buckets ??
— Northwestern Basketball (@NUMensBball) March 8, 2026
Nick Martinelli has posted the two most prolific scoring seasons in Northwestern basketball history. pic.twitter.com/J6LoYkXOiU
Joining Martinelli and West in double figures, first-year forward Tre Singleton turned in 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Junior guard Jordan Clayton dished out a team-high six assists and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. Clayton canned a go-ahead trey to give NU its first lead of the game inside the final two minutes.
Defensively, the 'Cats forced the Gophers into 11 turnovers — eight of which came in the second half — and held the hosts to a 35.3% 3-point clip.
Minnesota launched a quick start to the contest and held a 39-29 halftime lead. But Northwestern battled back into contention with a strong second-half display. Behind an 11-2 run, the Wildcats charged ahead 64-63.
Sophomore guard Angelo Ciaravino hit a pair of free throws to extend NU's advantage to 66-63 with 34 seconds remaining, but the Gophers scored the game's final four points to nab the win.
"Next time we lose, we don't have any more games guaranteed," Collins said. "You talk about playing every game like it's your last. This now rings true. We have to keep winning to keep our season alive. Hopefully, we'll have that kind of urgency: survive and advance."
The Wildcats will open the Big Ten Tournament against No. 18-seed Penn State on Tuesday, March 10, in the United Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 25 minutes after the conclusion of the No. 16-seed vs No. 17-seed game, which begins at 4 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
NU
MINN
FG%
.434
.545
3FG%
.348
.353
FT%
.857
.813
RB
28
26
TO
8
11
STL
3
6
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballMen's Basketball - Martinelli Sets Single-Season Scoring Record, 'Cats Fall at Minnesota (3/7/26)
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