Rapid Reaction: Northwestern cleans up a sloppy start and bests Northeastern 85-60 to close non-conference slate

Despite a slow start, the ‘Cats took care of business in the final bout of 2024.

In the final game before the calendar flips to 2025, Northwestern (10-3, 1-1 B1G) faced off against Northeastern (8-5, 0-0 CAA) for its first matchup against its directionally-opposed foe in 31 years.

The Wildcats used a big second half, where they shot 64.5% from the field, to overcome Northeastern’s hot three-point shooting start. Ty Berry led the way for NU with a season-high 23 points and three steals, with support from Brooks Barnhizer (22 points, sixth-consecutive double-double) and Nick Martinelli (16 points). The Wildcat defense also forced a whopping 22 Husky turnovers, compared to the six they gave away on offense.

For Northeastern, LA Pratt and Masai Troutman stood out and guided Northeastern’s offense. Pratt went for 18 points and added seven boards, while Troutman poured in 17 for his fifth-straight double-digit effort.

Upon the initial tip, the Huskies started off strong, scoring 11 of the first 13 points of the game and forcing an uncharacteristically early two turnovers for the ‘Cats as they sniffed out an upset opportunity.

After an early timeout, Northwestern continued to look flat offensively until a Martinelli flipper off a Berry offensive rebound got the Wildcats their first field goal more than five minutes into the game. On the opposite end, Northeastern’s offense was sizzling early despite NU’s solid defensive effort, starting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc despite just a 32.4% mark going into the matchup. Even as 14.5-point underdogs, Bill Coen’s squad had built and maintained a 10-point lead nearly halfway through the first half.

The bleeding did not stop after the under-12 timeout, with Northwestern unable to buy a bucket and Northeastern putting on a clinic from downtown. Tides began to turn, however, after nine straight Northwestern points capped by a Jalen Leach corner three in transition to cut the lead to four.

Out of the under-eight break, the ‘Cats refused to take the pedal off the gas, getting things started with a beautiful contested three from Berry, followed by a Barnhizer mid-range jumper off the dribble for his first field goal of the day. The seal was finally broken open after a high-IQ pass from Barnhizer gave Leach a wide-open three, which he converted to give the ‘Cats their first lead with 3:12 in the first half to cap a 19-5 run.

By the half’s end, both sides seemed to find their offensive strides, trading five buckets in the final two minutes. After a horrid start from the field, NU had recovered, sparking a resurgence to take a 35-33 lead into the break.

Guard combo Berry (12 points, three rebounds) and Leach (eight points, 2-for-3 from three) were leading the way halfway through for the Wildcats, while preseason all-conference selection Troutman led the way with 10 points for Northeastern as the Huskies shot an impressive 47% from three.

Opening up the second frame, Berry picked up right where he left off, kickstarting NU’s scoring by knocking down a three-pointer off the screen before grabbing yet another steal-and-score to push the lead up to seven. A tip-in lay by Matt Nicholson and a beautiful wrap-around pass from Martinelli to Barnhizer gave Northwestern its largest lead of the game at nine, and forced a Husky timeout.

Northwestern capitalized on its newfound momentum, coming out of the break with electric offense and even more stifling defense. A Harold Woods layup was returned with 11 straight Northwestern points to build a 17-point lead and completely turn the game on its head. With Northeastern’s three-point shooting cooled off, the ‘Cats surged to a 58-41 lead and had finally taken full command of the game by the under-12 media timeout.

With the game slowed down, the second half was much more comfortable for a Northwestern offense with the 17th slowest pace of play in the country, forcing 12 second-half turnovers while giving away just one of their own. But after building an 18-point lead that seemingly put the game away, the Huskies chipped away and headed a 10-2 run to bring the game back within striking distance. Only up 63-51, Northwestern was yet to be out of the woods at the Welsh.

After yet another pretty bucket from Pratt to cut the lead to 11, the fifth-years quickly silenced the Northeastern bench. A Big Matt slam was followed up by a milestone Berry triple that marked career point number 1,000, cementing him amongst a list of Northwestern greats.

Northeastern’s comeback bid was quickly suppressed, as the ‘Cats brought the lead up to 20 with just four minutes to play, and continued the onslaught from there. NU’s defense did not let up, while the big three — Barnhizer, Martinelli and Berry — led the way down the stretch offensively.

It was smooth sailing from there on out, as what was a scary beginning ended in a comfortable 25-point victory that ‘Cats fans could be happy about.

The win closes out the Wildcats’ non-conference schedule, which saw the ‘Cats go 9-2 against non-Big Ten foes. Northwestern will take the court for the first time in 2025 on Thursday, as the ‘Cats travel to take on Penn State.