The Wildcats held a sizeable lead for much of the game against the scrappy Beacons.
Northwestern took care of business on Monday to close out its December homestand with a victory. Nick Martinelli was nearly unstoppable as the Wildcats blew past Valparaiso, 86-70.
The All-Big Ten forward put up a game-high 29 points on efficient shooting, making 12 of his 19 attempts. Center Arrinten Page scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half and grabbed seven rebounds.
With the win, Northwestern moves to 7-4 on the season. The 'Cats have won two consecutive contests since their three-game losing streak earlier this month.
As a team, Northwestern held Valparaiso to 44.4% shooting and 31.6% from deep. The Wildcats outscored the Beacons in the paint, 50-26, and held a sizeable fastbreak advantage. NU also only turned the ball over seven times and never trailed.
Notably, sophomore guard K.J. Windham logged zero minutes in the win. This comes after Windham, who was projected to play a large role in Northwestern's offense, played just one minute against Jackson State.
Martinelli made his presence felt early in the paint. Upon feeling a double-team on the opening possession, the senior kicked the ball out to an open Jordan Clayton for three to get Northwestern on the board. He then notched the next six points for the 'Cats, single-handedly outscoring Valparaiso.
Justin Mullins threw down a transition slam to punctuate an 8-0 Wildcat run, and Northwestern soon led by as many as 13. However, the tides quickly changed, as NU went cold from the field and the Beacons scored six consecutive points.
Both teams traded buckets down the stretch of the first half until Jayden Reid's jumper in the final minute gave Northwestern a 39-30 lead at the break.
The Wildcats pulled away with a 12-2 run out of halftime, including eight consecutive points from Martinelli. Page then decided it was his turn for a takeover with 10 points on his own to push Northwestern's advantage to 24.
Valparaiso remained relentless, though. The Beacons' 15-4 run kept the 'Cats on their toes and ensured Chris Collins could not turn to his reserves yet. Martinelli managed to fend Valpo off by putting his fourth offensive rebound back up for a basket, Mullins took a steal for another dunk and Reid hit a tough fadeaway to secure the 'Cats' 86-70 win.
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, when the Wildcats take on Butler at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers.