How can this keep happening?
It defies belief.
The Wildcats held a double-digit lead early, but were unable to hold on in a hair-pulling 77-75 overtime loss to Rutgers. Northwestern (8-8, 0-5 Big Ten) suffered its fourth loss of five or less points this season, while Rutgers (9-8, 2-4 Big Ten) squeaked out its second victory in Big Ten play.
Nick Martinelli led all scorers with a career-high 34 points. Arrinten Page contributed 14, and Jake West put together perhaps his best complete performance as a Wildcat, finishing with nine points, four assists, two rebounds and two blocks, despite missing a game-tying layup in the game’s final seconds.
Tariq Francis paced Rutgers with 30 points, with 23 coming in the second half and overtime. Darren Buchanan Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Northwestern relied on four three pointers in the first half to take a double-digit lead. However, they would make just two more threes the rest of the game, leaning heavily upon production inside from Martinelli and Page. While neither team shot exceptionally well from the field — with Northwestern at 41.3% and Rutgers 40.6% — the Scarlet Knights had a little bit more grit through 40 minutes, out-rebounding the ‘Cats 47-40 and making two more free throws, despite having two less attempts at the line.
Out of the gate, head coach Chris Collins chose to roll with a Reid-Clayton-Mullins-Martinelli-Singleton starting lineup. Angelo Ciaravino and Arrinten Page, who have started 12 and 13 games, respectively, for the ‘Cats this season, came off the bench for a second straight game.
Jayden Reid opened the scoring with a jumpshot after Jamichael Davis missed two free throws for the Scarlet Knights on their opening possession.
Over the next three minutes, Nick Martinelli poured in a quick nine points, pushing the ‘Cats out to an 11-4 lead. Martinelli, on average, makes just 1.3 three pointers per game, but knocked down two big triples in the opening minutes to give the ‘Cats a hot start in this one.
Out of a media timeout, Darren Buchanan Jr. connected on a three for Rutgers, but the ‘Cats continued to roll on the offensive end. Northwestern rattled off a 10-2 run off the back of two Jake West three-point jumpers, pushing its lead to 23-11.
Through the game’s opening ten minutes, the ‘Cats shot 4-for-7 (57.1%) from outside, well above their 30.8% average on the season and their 25.0% clip in the last six games. Martinelli and West’s early threes not only mathematically accelerated Northwestern’s scoring, but more generally opened up space on the floor, allowing for a more fluid offensive operation.
Following the ‘Cats’ early run, Rutgers was able to pick up its scoring, pouring in seven points in just two minutes. However, two inside buckets for Arrinten Page, who scored six points in the first half, protected the ‘Cats’ sizable lead.
Scoring slowed down for both teams the next several possessions, as the ‘Cats suffered a scoring drought that spanned almost three minutes. Though a strong defensive effort continued to limit Rutgers’ offense, two Christoph Nwuli free throws and a Lino Mark layup allowed the Scarlet Knights to tighten the game to a 27-22 score.
The teams traded points over the course of a few possessions, but it was Rutgers who went on the next scoring run, finishing the half 10-2 to enter the half down just two points. Shooting just 20% from outside, the Scarlet Knights moved to attack the basket, scoring six of their ten points at the foul line and their other four in the paint.
Though Northwestern led 35-33 at the half, it was a disappointing final ten minutes for the visitors after the 12-point lead they built in the early minutes after a hot start from the perimeter. Martinelli’s 15 points led all scorers, while Buchanan’s ten points led the Scarlet Knights. Neither team found much success scoring in the paint, as the ‘Cats relied on four early three-point buckets for their offensive production, and Rutgers leaned on its nine points from the charity stripe. Though Northwestern was able to shoot 48.3% from the field and 40% on threes, the ‘Cats went 3-for-8 from the free throw line, leaving a few points on the board.
Rutgers and Northwestern traded buckets to start the second half, with the Scarlet Knights knocking down three jumpshots—including one three-pointer—and Martinelli building off of his strong first half for the ‘Cats, converting upon two free throws and an inside layup.
At the 15:36 mark, Rutgers took its first lead of the game when Emmanuel Ogbole slammed home a dunk. Outside of West’s two early three-pointers, the Scarlet Knights’ guards won their defensive assignments against their Northwestern counterparts. With the score 49-47, 35 of Northwestern’s 49 points had come from bigs Martinelli (21), Page (10) and Singleton (4), who kept the ‘Cats in the game in the early part of the second half.
West’s third three of the game briefly extended a Northwestern scoring run to 7-0. The home team was quick to respond, however, as Tariq Francis connected on two jumpshots to bring the Northwestern lead to 54-52 with 7:37 remaining.
On Northwestern’s next two-possessions, it continued to apply pressure with its big men, as Martinelli and Page found their way to the charity stripe, each making a pair of free throws. After shooting 37.5% from the free throw line in the first half, Northwestern was much improved in the second half, shooting 10-for-12 (83.3%).
Martinelli was especially involved at the free throw line in the second half, shooting a perfect 8-for-8. Four of those free throws contributed to Martinelli scoring the Wildcats’ last six points, giving Northwestern a 62-56 lead with just four minutes remaining.
Following Martinelli’s run, five points from Rutgers’ Jamichael Davis contributed to a swift 9-3 response, cutting Northwestern’s lead to just one point with slightly over a minute to play.
Out of a timeout, Collins was intent on getting Martinelli involved in the action. However, he was swarmed in the post by the Scarlet Knights and unable to get a quality shot, giving Rutgers a chance to take the lead.
On the other end, Tariq Francis was fouled on a jumpshot by West. At the line, Francis converted on two free throws, giving Rutgers a one-point lead at 0:39. Francis, the Scarlet Knights’ leading scorer this season, came alive in the second half, scoring 16 of Rutgers’ 34 points.
Backs against the wall, Collins continued to put the ball in the hands of the Big Ten’s leading scorer. Unlike the previous possession, it paid off, as the Glenview native connected on a silky jumper from the left wing to put the ‘Cats back in front.
With 26 seconds remaining, it seemed the ‘Cats just needed one more stop to seal this one in Piscataway. Rather, Rutgers recovered possession of the ball after two missed Francis jumpshots, forcing the ‘Cats to defend three separate shot attempts. On the third, a putback layup by Buchanan, Jordan Clayton committed a shooting foul. However, Buchanan, a 59.0% season free throw shooter, made just one of two at the line, deadlocking the game at 67 as time expired in regulation.
Overtime would be needed to decide this one, as a fired up Martinelli, who scored 31 points in regulation for Northwestern, screamed to encourage the ‘Cats to keep fighting for five more minutes.
And, it would be Martinelli who started the scoring in the overtime period. However, Rutgers would respond with a 7-3 scoring run, led by five more points from a red hot Francis. The Scarlet Knights led 76-72 with 1:22 to play in the period.
On the subsequent possession, Tre Singleton hit iron on a three-point attempt giving the ball back to Rutgers. With another basket bound to decide the game, Page kept the Wildcats alive, blocking Francis’ shot on defense, and then drawing a shooting foul with a hard drive to the basket on offense. Page knocked down both free throws, putting the score at 76-74.
With 30 seconds to play and the shot clock turned off, Northwestern applied a full court press, forcing them to take a timeout after trapping them in the right corner. After the timeout, the ‘Cats stole the inbounds pass, gaining a chance to tie or take the lead in the game’s final seconds.
Despite a special 34-point performance, Martinelli wasn’t able to save the day for the ‘Cats. Initially, he missed a tough left-handed layup, though the ‘Cats were able to force a jump ball and retain possession on the rebound. On the following possession, Martinelli was fouled and sent to the line, but he missed the second of his two free throws; the ‘Cats still trailed 76-75.
With just nine seconds remaining, Rutgers inbounded the ball to Buchanan and Northwestern immediately fouled him, sending the junior guard back to the line for more clutch free throws. Once again, Buchanan split his free throws, giving Northwestern a chance to tie the game in the final moments. West dribbled the ball the full length of the floor, but Buchanan recovered from his miss and blocked his shot at the rim, securing a 77-75 victory for the Scarlet Knights in the game’s final moments.
After leading by 12 points in the early going, Northwestern was unable to ride Martinelli’s 34 points to victory, suffering its fifth straight loss to open Big Ten play. Heartbreak for the ‘Cats on the road in New Jersey.
Category: General Sports
