Nick Martinelli, Brooks Barnhizer help Northwestern beat DePaul

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st December, 18:33 2024

Dec 21, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; DePaul Demons forward David Skogmen (42) attempts a shot defended by Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Nick Martinelli scored 23 points and Brooks Barnhizer contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double to lead host Northwestern to an 84-64 victory against DePaul on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern (9-3) shot 53.1 percent compared to 37 percent for DePaul, which was led by Jacob Meyer's 18 points.

David Skogman had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Demons, who have lost three of four. Conor Enright added 12 points and CJ Gunn had 10.

Matthew Nicholson (14 points) and Jalen Leach (13) also scored in double figures for the Wildcats.

An early blitz by the Wildcats proved too much for the Blue Demons (8-4) to surmount.

Enright's layup on the first possession of the game put DePaul ahead for the only time all afternoon. Northwestern responded with a 20-0 run, capitalizing on six Blue Demons turnovers that led to seven Wildcats assists during a spurt that mixed success in transition with accuracy from long range.

Martinelli scored six points during the run while Leach chipped in five. Enright ended the surge with another layup that drew DePaul within 20-4 with 14:01 remaining in the first half. The Wildcats extended their advantage to 19 points on a Martinelli jumper at the 8:23 mark before DePaul steadied, cutting the deficit to 37-27 at the break.

DePaul climbed within eight points with 16:29 to go but didn't draw within that many again until there was 3:14 to play. Northwestern answered an 8-0 Blue Demons run midway through the second half with a 9-0 run of its own. The Wildcats ended the game on a 12-0 run.

The Blue Demons committed 18 turnovers, including 14 in the first half.

DePaul shot 44.4 percent (12-for-27) from long range. Meyer swished four treys while Enright and Skogman both made two.

Barnhizer added six assists, four steals and three blocks.

DePaul maintained a 21-17 advantage in the all-time series but the edge is fading. Saturday marked the Wildcats' third straight victory in the series and seventh victory in the past eight meetings.

--Field Level Media