Northwestern tops Maryland in overtime as Nick Martinelli’s jumper just beats the buzzer, delivering a thrilling 76-74 victory that ended their three-game losing streak on Thursday night.
The Wildcats held a 64-56 lead with only 4:43 remaining in regulation. However, the Terrapins rallied back with an impressive 11-2 run, highlighted by Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s layup that tied the game at 68 with just 6.9 seconds left. Northwestern’s Brooks Barnhizer attempted a layup that narrowly missed, allowing Derik Queen to grab the rebound for Maryland.
In the tense overtime period, Gillespie again found the basket, tying the game at 74 with another layup. He then made a defensive play, stripping the ball from Ty Berry. The ball ricocheted off Maryland’s Julian Reese, giving Northwestern a chance with just 0.7 seconds on the clock.
With the game on the line, Martinelli shook off his defender after a well-executed screen and released a runner in front of the Northwestern bench. His shot swished through the net, igniting a celebration among his teammates.
Martinelli’s performance was stellar, finishing the game with 22 points for Northwestern (11-6, 2-4 Big Ten). Barnhizer contributed significantly with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Berry added 15 points of his own.
On the other side, Reese led the Terrapins (13-5, 3-4) with 23 points. Gillespie supported with 14 points, and Rodney Rice chipped in 13. Queen’s efforts on the boards were notable, as he collected 14 rebounds along with nine points. Maryland struggled with 16 turnovers, which proved costly in a tightly contested matchup.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, featuring 11 lead changes and nine ties. Northwestern managed to edge ahead 38-37 at halftime, thanks to Martinelli’s buzzer-beating shot in the lane. The game concluded with a total of 16 ties and 15 lead changes, showcasing the fierce competition between both teams.
Looking ahead, Maryland will face Nebraska on Sunday, while Northwestern is set to take on No. 20 Michigan, who recently suffered a heart-wrenching loss to Minnesota in overtime.
