Northwestern Beats Montana State 72-69 in Opener

Northwestern secured a narrow 72-69 victory over Montana State in a thrilling matchup that featured 15 ties and 13 lead changes. Nick Martinelli led the Wildcats with 22 points, while Brooks Barnhizer made a significant impact in his season debut, contributing 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Wildcats, overcoming a 39-34 halftime deficit, relied on strong performances from their key players, including Jalen Leach and Matthew Nicholson, who helped clinch the win in the final moments. Montana State's Jabe Mullins and Brandon Walker each played well, scoring 17 and 14 points respectively as the Bobcats struggled to maintain their early lead. The game highlighted Northwestern's ability to execute under pressure, especially in critical late-game situations. With this win, the Wildcats improved to 4-1 on the season, while Montana State fell to 1-4.