Northwestern squeezes out Big 10 win over Maryland

Field Level Media|published: Wed 17th January, 23:48 2024

Jan 10, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins argues a call from the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. credits: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Boo Buie scored 20 points, Brooks Barnhizer followed with 15 and Ty Berry was clutch from the free-throw line late as Northwestern edged Maryland 72-69 on Wednesday in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern (13-4, 4-2 Big Ten) overcame a standout effort from the Terrapins' Jahmir Young, who scored 28 of his 36 points after halftime. Young went 12-for-19 from the floor and 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.

Berry, who finished with 11 points, swished each of his six free throws. He made four in the final 3.9 seconds to help the Wildcats seal the result.

Young, who scored the Terrapins' final 11 points, hit a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left to give Maryland its first lead of the second half at 67-66. Buie answered with a go-ahead layup on the ensuing possession before the Wildcats closed the game from the line.

Jordan Geronimo added 12 points for Maryland (11-7, 3-4). Donta Scott scored 11 and Julian Reese had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Northwestern and Maryland combined to miss 11 successive attempts from long range to start the second half. Buie stopped the drought with 6:47 to go, connecting from deep to give the Wildcats a 57-52 lead.

Maryland answered with a Young jumper on the next possession as breathing room was hard to find. The teams traded 3-pointers before three straight Terrapins free throws brought them within 62-60 with 2:35 left.

Neither team led by more than five points in a tight first half. The Wildcats took a 32-28 advantage into the locker room behind strong ball control — nine assists against just three turnovers — and a hot start from Barnhizer, who scored 11 points in the first half on 4-for-6 shooting.

Buie swished a floater from 17 feet at the buzzer and had seven points at the break. He also dished three of his seven assists before halftime while taking sole possession of second place on the program's all-time assists rankings.

Scott led Maryland with nine points in the first half, one more than Young.

Matt Nicholson finished with 10 points for Northwestern. Berry and Nicholson had seven rebounds.

Northwestern has won three of five against Maryland, but the Terrapins boast a 12-5 lead in the all-time series.

—Field Level Media