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Northwestern Defeats Penn State 76-66 in Big Ten Tournament
Nick Martinelli scores 24 points to lead the Wildcats to victory
Mar. 11, 2026 at 2:09am
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Nick Martinelli scored 24 points and Jayden Reid added 14 as 15th-seeded Northwestern defeated 18th-seeded Penn State 76-66 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on Tuesday. The Wildcats led for most of the game, building a 68-55 lead late in the second half before holding on for the victory.
Why it matters
This win keeps Northwestern's season alive as they advance to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, while Penn State's season comes to an end with a 12-20 record. The Wildcats will now face 10th-seeded Indiana in the next round.
The details
Northwestern led 34-32 at halftime and maintained a lead throughout the second half, going on an 8-0 run to build a 68-55 advantage with under 4 minutes to play. Martinelli led the way for the Wildcats, making 10 of 17 shots and grabbing 9 rebounds. Jayden Reid added 14 points and 9 assists. Penn State was led by Ivan Juric with 22 points, while Josh Reed and Freddie Dilione V each scored 14.
- The game was played on Tuesday, March 11, 2026 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The players
Nick Martinelli
A standout player for Northwestern who led the Big Ten in scoring during the regular season at 22.7 points per game.
Jayden Reid
A key contributor for Northwestern, adding 14 points and 9 assists in the win.
Ivan Juric
The leading scorer for Penn State with 22 points in the losing effort.
What’s next
Northwestern will face 10th-seeded Indiana in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday.
The takeaway
This win keeps Northwestern's season alive and sets up an intriguing matchup with Indiana in the next round. Penn State's season comes to an end, but the Nittany Lions can look to build on this experience for next year.
