Reynolds scores 21, Minnesota edges Northwestern 67-66

Langston Reynolds hits game-winning layup in final seconds to lift Golden Gophers over Wildcats in regular season finale.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Langston Reynolds scored 21 points, including the game-winning layup with 11 seconds left, to lead Minnesota to a 67-66 victory over Northwestern in the final regular season game for both Big Ten teams on Saturday.

Why it matters

The win gives Minnesota some momentum heading into the Big Ten tournament, while Northwestern will look to rebound in the opening round after a tough conference season.

The details

Reynolds was 9-of-13 from the floor and scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half to rally the Golden Gophers from a three-point deficit in the final minute. Isaac Asuma added 14 points and 8 rebounds for Minnesota, which led by 10 at halftime. Nick Martinelli scored 23 points for Northwestern, but his Wildcats couldn't hold on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • Minnesota and Northwestern were playing in the final regular season game for both Big Ten teams.

The players

Langston Reynolds

A Minnesota player who scored 21 points, including the game-winning layup in the final seconds, to lead the Golden Gophers to victory.

Nick Martinelli

The sixth-leading scorer in the nation at 22.7 points per game, Martinelli had 23 points and 9 rebounds for Northwestern in the loss.

Isaac Asuma

A Minnesota player who scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to help the Golden Gophers rally past Northwestern.

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What they’re saying

“Langston Reynolds was the hero for us today, making the big play when we needed it most. He's been a consistent scorer for us all season and we're glad he was able to come through in the clutch.”

— Richard Pitino, Minnesota Head Coach (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

What’s next

Minnesota will enter the Big Ten tournament as the No. 11 seed and face No. 14 seed Rutgers in the second round on Wednesday. Northwestern will be the No. 15 seed and face No. 18 seed Penn State in the opening round on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This game showcased the competitive nature of the Big Ten, with two teams battling until the final seconds despite their sub-.500 conference records. Minnesota was able to rally behind a strong performance from Langston Reynolds, providing a boost of momentum heading into the postseason tournament.