A refreshing performance from the ‘Cats to say the least.
On Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena, Northwestern led by 20 against Nebraska early in the second half. In a stunning collapse, the ‘Cats ultimately lost that game, putting an unofficial nail in their season’s coffin.
Four days later, as NU held a similar 20-point lead on the road against Ohio State, the ‘Cats didn’t allow history to repeat itself, winning its first game in 16 days with a commanding 70-49 victory.
Four ‘Cats finished in double figures, and Nick Martinelli led the way with 18 points. Ty Berry and KJ Windham weren’t far behind with 15 apiece. Berry and Justin Mullins each grabbed six rebounds, as the team shot 46% from the field despite only shooting 2-of-14 from beyond the arc.
Micah Parrish led the way for the Buckeyes with 16 points, closely followed by 13 from Bruce Thornton. Sean Stewart grabbed eight rebounds, as OSU shot only 33% from the field and conceded 16 turnovers.
While the hopes of a third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance remain slim, this win certainly improves Northwestern’s mightily small chances, giving it a better opportunity to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament and avoid a bottom three placement in the conference.
Parrish opened the scoring for Ohio State with a deep three, as Martinelli quickly responded with his signature floater. The two teams exchanged buckets once more in what proved to be a lethargic offensive start, with the Buckeyes ahead 5-4 at the first media timeout.
Ohio State’s scoring drought reached four minutes as Matthew Nicholson made a lay-in to give the ‘Cats their first lead of the game. Another Martinelli floater extended a 6-0 Northwestern run, which became 8-0 after a Berry score. Thornton finally put OSU’s nearly six minute drought to bed, as the ‘Cats led 10-7 at the under-12 timeout.
Out of the timeout Angelo Ciaravino slammed one in off an inbounds pass. Ohio State’s turnover concerns continued, with Devin Royal recording the team’s seventh turnover of the half. Them, both teams finally started to heat up from the field, with Berry and Keenan Fitzmorris scoring to put Northwestern up by five. An impressive pivot from Nicholson at the rim led to the big man’s second score of the game, handing Northwestern a seven point edge at the under-eight media break.
Ciaravino hit a pair from the charity stripe, but Parrish nailed a trey and got fouled, completing the four-point play to bring the lead within five. Then, Ciaravino returned to the line and was perfect once again, and then a Berry score off a rebound pushed the lead back up to nine. K.J. Windham hit from beyond the arc following a Thornton score to give NU a double digit advantage, as the Buckeyes hit double digits of their own in turnovers. Ohio State continued to dominate on the offensive glass, but couldn’t capitalize on its plethora of opportunities, only registering a single score to bring NU’s lead down to 27-19 at the final media timeout of the half.
Out of the break, Thornton dropped in a jumper to bring him into double figures as Nicholson slammed one in on the other end. Parrish recorded an and-one on a quick drive to the rim, bringing the senior into double figures as well. Then, Mullins got in on the action after nabbing three offensive rebounds and scoring, with the ‘Cats finally showing some prowess on the offensive glass. NU held the final possession but couldn’t hold onto the basketball, leaving Chris Collins’ team surprisingly ahead 31-24 at the break.
In the first half, Berry, Ciaravino, Martinelli, and Nicholson all led Northwestern with six points apiece, with no Wildcat scoring in double figures. NU struggled on the glass, giving Ohio State’s scorers plenty of opportunities that they ultimately failed to capitalize on.
For the Buckeyes, their offensive output was a completely different story, with Thornton and Parrish scoring 10 points each and Stewart being the only other player to find the score sheet. OSU turned the ball over 11 times in the half, a troublesome development for a team needing a win to remain in a strong position for the NCAA Tournament.
Berry opened the second half scoring with a layup as OSU’s shooting struggles persisted, starting the half 0-of-4 from the field. A Nicholson rebound led to a slam as Ohio State’s defense gave little resistance, bringing the center to eight points on the game. An and-one from Windham raised NU’s to 14, as the ‘Cats began the half with a 7-0 run that held up at the under-16 break.
Northwestern’s offensive dominance continued, as free throws from Windham and an and-one from Berry gave the ‘Cats a dominant 43-24 lead. Then, a Ciaravino shooting foul finally gave OSU its first points of the half at the 14:44 mark, but its deficit only grew after Windham hit a trey to extend NU’s lead to 20. While the lead appeared large, Northwestern would have to avoid another catastrophic collapse similar to what it experienced with a 20 point lead on Sunday against Nebraska if it wanted its first win since February 4.
A bucket from Berry continued what was a 19-2 Northwestern run until Parrish responded with a make from beyond the arc. NU’s dominance persisted with buckets from Martinelli and Windham as the crowd at Value City Arena reigned down boos on its Buckeyes, with Jake Diebler calling timeout as Northwestern’s lead grew to 23.
Ohio State’s woes only worsened, cementing a dismal performance for a team still very much in contention for the NCAA Tournament. Ques Glover recorded his first bucket of the night as Northwestern held a 58-33 lead, but Martinelli immediately clawed back with a floater. Glover hit a three to slightly cut the lead, but the ‘Cats still held a seemingly impenetrable lead at the under-8 timeout.
The Buckeyes weren’t going quietly, going on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 20 as Chris Collins called timeout. The two teams continued to trade buckets as Northwestern held on to its commanding lead, with Nicholson entering double figures for the fourth time all season. The ‘Cats held a 64-43 lead at the final media timeout of the game, as victory was nearly guaranteed with three and a half minutes remaining.
Two free throws from Windham brought him up to 15 points on the game, an impressive showing from the freshman. NU’s lead stabilized in the final minutes as many of OSU’s shots were still unable to fall, with the ‘Cats dribbling out the clock to cement a 70-49 victory.
Northwestern will look to remain in the win column when it travels to play Minnesota on Tuesday. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. CST, and the action will be broadcast on Peacock.