Northwestern defeats Minnesota 75-63, secures second straight win

Northwestern claimed a decisive 75-63 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday night, led by Nick Martinelli's standout performance of 29 points, including 19 in the second half. The Wildcats surged to an early 10-0 lead, setting the tone for the game and maintaining control throughout. Despite Minnesota's Dawson Garcia scoring 26 points, the Gophers struggled to keep pace, especially with Northwestern's effective three-point shooting, hitting nine of their 19 attempts. This win marks Northwestern's second consecutive victory, improving their Big Ten record to 6-11 and enhancing their chances of qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament. Minnesota, now at 14-14 overall, will look to bounce back in their upcoming game against Nebraska. The game highlighted the Wildcats' offensive prowess, with contributions from other players despite Martinelli's dominant scoring.