Rapid Reaction: Northwestern annihilates Lehigh 90-46

A complete domination.

What a way to start the season for the ‘Cats.

Northwestern (1-0, 0-0 B1G) bulldozed Lehigh (0-1, 0-0 PAT) 90-46 on a feel-good Monday night in Evanston.

For the ‘Cats, Nick Martinelli led the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds on 9-for-12 shooting. Luke Hunger also had a career-high 15 points, while Jalen Leach contributed 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Lehigh didn’t have many bright spots, but Nasir Whitlock and Tyler Whitney-Sidney led the Mountain Hawks with 11 and 10 points respectively.

After Matthew Nicholson won the jump, the teams traded scoreless possessions before a thunderous Nicholson dunk. Both squads started off cool from the field, but Nick Martinelli put the ‘Cats up seven following a post-up and three. Lehigh took a quick timeout, and NU’s defense looked stout, forcing four turnovers in the first few minutes. Berry continued the team’s terrific play with another steal, leading to a K.J. Wyndham layup. Tyler Whitney-Sidney ended the drought for the Mountain Hawks with an and-one, but Northwestern looked strong to start.

Out of the timeout, Luke Hunger quickly knocked down a midrange jumper in his first action of the season. Martinelli and Whitney-Sidney traded baskets, making it 13-5 Wildcats. Hunger, showing an improved shooting touch, nailed a contested deep three and midrange jumper. Northwestern’s offense looked outstanding at the outset, something not usually seen in non-conference NU games.

Martinelli continued his hot start out of the break, floating in another, and Windham nailed his first three as a Wildcat. After another Lehigh miss, Jalen Leach soared to the rim for an up-and-under and-one bringing the lead to 27-7. The Fairfield transfer looked like he was settling in, knocking down a three on the next possession.

Out of the under-eight, the domination ensued with another Martinelli score and Angelo Ciaravino’s first collegiate basket. Lehigh was forced to call another timeout, with NU leading 34-10. NU continued the onslaught with a beautiful Windham cut for a two and another Hunger midrange jumper. The ‘Cats, even without Brooks Barnhizer, looked like a well-oiled machine up 29 with 3:24 left in the opening half.

After the stoppage, Martinelli canned a deep triple and Ciaravino splashed a three of his own. Windham, not wanting to be left out, nailed another from downtown, and ballooned the lead to 49-12. The Mountain Hawks took their third timeout, but it wasn’t enough to slow the momentum. Northwestern had as dominant of a half as you’ll ever see, taking a 51-15 lead into the break.

Nick Martinelli had a phenomenal first half, scoring 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Luke Hunger and K.J. Windham also played fantastically, with 11 and 10 points each. As a team, NU shot 58.3% from the floor and 7-for-15 from three. The team dominated in all facets, out-rebounding Lehigh 26-11 and forcing six turnovers for the Mountain Hawks. The only bright spot for Lehigh was Tyler Whitney-Sidney, who had over half of the team’s points with eight. The ‘Cats didn’t have much to improve on going into the second frame, but NU didn’t want to let up in front of its home crowd.

Following the halftime intermission, NU forced a turnover and Ty Berry drained his first three of the season. The teams went back-and-forth with scoreless possessions before Leach feathered in a layup and nailed a jumper. Cam Gillus finally made Lehigh’s first triple of the evening, but the ‘Cats still had a commanding 59-22 lead heading into the under-16.

Out of the timeout, Hunger scored another two, before Martinelli slammed home a fast break jam. The team went cold for a few minutes until Hunger converted a hook, giving him 15 points on the evening.

After the under-12 stoppage, Blake Smith drained two free throws for his first points of the season. Lehigh first-year and Illinois native, Hank Alvey, came back with two of his own, but NU responded with a Justin Mullins layup. Martinelli, playing with supreme confidence, made another two, and Berry canned an elbow jumper for a 77-29 advantage.

Northwestern continued the momentum with a Leach jumper and a Berry three. The Kansas native converted another two, and NU extended the lead to 84-36 with just under four minutes remaining.

Out of the stoppage, Blake Barkley scored his first points of the season, and Ciaravino posterized Lehigh defenders for an electric dunk. From then on, Northwestern cruised to victory.

The ‘Cats will be back in action Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. CST as they go on the road to face Dayton.