Junior Captain Leads Wildcats to Upset Victory

Jordan Clayton scores career-high 20 points in win over Maryland

Feb. 21, 2026 at 7:18pm

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In a breakout performance, Northwestern junior captain Jordan Clayton scored a career-high 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from three-point range to lead the Wildcats to an upset victory over Maryland. Clayton's hot shooting and timely plays on both ends of the floor were crucial in the win, showcasing his growth and resilience after a roller coaster tenure at Northwestern.

Why it matters

Clayton's standout game highlights his perseverance through ups and downs during his time at Northwestern, where his role has fluctuated significantly from season to season. The win over a ranked Maryland team also provides a much-needed boost for the Wildcats, who have struggled at times this season and are looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch.

The details

Clayton caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down six of his seven three-point attempts. Many of his threes came off of good ball movement and smart off-ball positioning, as he was able to find open looks when Maryland's defense focused on star forward Robbie Martinelli. Clayton also made several key defensive plays, using his length and quickness to disrupt the Terrapins' offense.

  • On Wednesday night, Jordan Clayton scored a career-high 20 points in Northwestern's upset victory over Maryland.

The players

Jordan Clayton

A junior captain for the Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball team who had a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 20 points in the team's upset win over Maryland.

Robbie Martinelli

The star forward for the Northwestern Wildcats who drew significant defensive attention from Maryland, allowing Clayton to find open looks from three-point range.

Chris Collins

The head coach of the Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball team, who was seen on the sideline passionately encouraging his players, including a notable interaction with Martinelli.

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What they’re saying

“This is the kind of play that, too often this season, has resulted in four guys standing still and Martinelli being forced to shoot over the double team — but Clayton did a good job to earn himself a look.”

— Eliav Brooks-Rubin, Author (yahoo.com)

“Singleton has been one of the best Wildcat defenders all season long, and with these tools to guard bigs and perimeter players, it's not hard to see why.”

— Eliav Brooks-Rubin, Author (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The Wildcats will look to build on this momentum as they continue their Big Ten schedule, with key upcoming games against ranked opponents.

The takeaway

Jordan Clayton's breakout performance showcases his resilience and growth as a player, providing a much-needed boost for a Northwestern team that has faced its fair share of adversity this season. The win over Maryland demonstrates the Wildcats' potential when their supporting cast steps up to complement their star players.