Northwestern snaps five-game skid with 78-74 win over Maryland

Wildcats get big games from Nick Martinelli and Jordan Clayton to top the Terrapins at home

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Northwestern Wildcats snapped a five-game losing streak with a 78-74 victory over the Maryland Terrapins in a Big Ten matchup. Nick Martinelli led the Wildcats with 29 points, while Jordan Clayton had a career-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers. Maryland's Andre Mills scored a career-high 39 points in the losing effort.

Why it matters

This win is a much-needed boost for Northwestern, which had been struggling in Big Ten play. The Wildcats were able to get key contributions from multiple players to overcome Maryland's strong performance, particularly from Andre Mills. This result could provide momentum for Northwestern as it looks to finish the season strong.

The details

Northwestern jumped out to an early lead, but Maryland kept the game close throughout the first half. The Wildcats were able to pull away in the second half, thanks in large part to a dominant stretch from Jordan Clayton, who hit four 3-pointers in quick succession to give Northwestern a 61-53 lead with 8 minutes remaining. Nick Martinelli also had a strong game for the Wildcats, scoring 29 points. For Maryland, Andre Mills had a career-high 39 points, but the Terrapins couldn't overcome the Wildcats' balanced attack.

  • The game was played on February 19, 2026.

The players

Nick Martinelli

A key player for the Northwestern Wildcats, who led the team with 29 points in the win.

Jordan Clayton

A Northwestern player who had a career-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers, to help the Wildcats snap their losing streak.

Andre Mills

The Maryland Terrapins player who scored a career-high 39 points in the losing effort.

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What’s next

Northwestern will next face Indiana on Tuesday, February 24 at 6 p.m. CST.

The takeaway

This win is a much-needed confidence boost for Northwestern, which had been struggling in Big Ten play. The Wildcats were able to get key contributions from multiple players, including standout performances from Nick Martinelli and Jordan Clayton, to overcome a strong effort from Maryland's Andre Mills.