Wisconsin Edges Northwestern in Nail-Biting Contest
EVANSTON, Ill. – In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, No. 17 Wisconsin mounted a stunning second-half comeback, overcoming a 25-point first-half deficit to seal a narrow 75-69 victory against Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Northwestern’s (12-10, 3-8 Big Ten) strong defensive play limited Wisconsin (17-5, 7-4 Big Ten) to just 25 points in the first half while forcing nine turnovers. Graduate student Jalen Leach led the Wildcats with an impressive 23 points, along with seven rebounds and seven assists, marking his second consecutive game with over 20 points. His performance made him the first Big Ten player since 2016 to achieve 20+ points, 7+ rebounds, 7+ assists, and 5+ three-pointers against a ranked opponent.
“I feel like the game is kind of slowing down for me,” Leach remarked, emphasizing his film study and improved shot selection. Junior Nick Martinelli added 15 points and seven rebounds, while graduate student Ty Berry contributed 14 points, hitting four three-pointers.
Despite the Wildcats’ early 8-0 lead and a halftime advantage of 31-25, they struggled to maintain momentum in the second half. Wisconsin surged back, shooting 56% from the field and scoring 50 points after halftime. The Badgers took control just minutes into the second half and didn’t relinquish it.
Coach Chris Collins expressed disappointment but praised his team’s effort: “We couldn’t sustain it in the second [half], but I can’t fault our guys’ effort.”
Northwestern, now preparing for a game against USC on February 4, showcased resilience against a formidable opponent despite the setback. The contest will air live on Big Ten Network and WGN Radio 720.
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