Rutgers denied Northwestern their first Big Ten win in a nail-biting overtime thriller, sealed by a last-second block.
The first Big Ten win again flew away from the Wildcats' hand in a similar fashion.
Despite a career night for Nick Martinelli, Northwestern (8-8, 0-5 B1G) squandered a double-digit lead and couldn't hold off a late Scarlet Knight surge, falling 77–75 to Rutgers (9-8, 2-4 B1G) in a gritty overtime collapse. Though Martinelli's crunch-time jumper forced overtime, a last-second block by Darren Buchanan Jr. sealed the victory, leaving Northwestern winless in conference play.
Martinelli led the team with a career-high 34 points and 12 rebounds, with Arrinten Page following with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Tariq Francis headlined the comeback with 30 points off the bench, while the duo of Buchanan Jr. and Jamichael Davis combined for 24 points and 15 rebounds.
Northwestern surged to an early 11-4 lead after Jayden Reid knocked down a pull-up jumper and Martinelli responded with two consecutive threes. The Wildcats continued to dominate as Jake West found Martinelli for a downhill floater in the paint before hitting his own three to establish a 21-9 double-digit lead.
Off the bench, Page excelled in a bigger lineup that Chris Collins switched for his second unit, scoring a reverse layup and a spinning fadeaway jumper. However, Northwestern’s offense stalled for a minute, allowing the Scarlet Knights to cut the deficit to seven. Page momentarily halted the run with another jumper for a nine-point lead.
Jan 11, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Arrinten Page (22) is fouled by Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Bryce Dortch (4) during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesRutgers then deployed a full-court defense to pressure the ‘Cats. After Lino Mark rallied a driving layup, Angelo Ciaravino shifted momentum with a transition dunk. Martinelli followed with a left-hand drive that drew a foul, and Justin Mullins punctuated the stretch with a fastbreak hammer to reclaim a 10-point lead.
In the final minute of the half, Rutgers erupted. After Northwestern missed key free throws, Francis and Buchanan Jr. piled on points from the charity stripe. Despite Martinelli beating the clock with a floater, a Kaden Powers driving layup brought Rutgers within two, ending the half at 35-33.
The second half opened with a back-and-forth battle as Martinelli and Emmanuel Ogbole traded scores, giving Rutgers its first lead. Martinelli and West pushed the Wildcats ahead, but Francis kept the Scarlet Knights close. With ten minutes remaining, West’s corner three extended the Northwestern lead to five.
Following a media timeout, Martinelli’s composure at the line and in the paint built a six-point cushion for the Wildcats. However, Davis sparked a late Rutgers surge, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities, while Clayton drilled a clutch corner three. A gritty hustle play by Francis led to a corner three by, reclaiming a 66–65 lead for Rutgers with 36 seconds left.
In the final moments, Martinelli answered with a contested post jumper to regain the lead. After a chaotic sequence involving a Northwestern turnover and a missed Rutgers drive, Buchanan Jr. grabbed a critical offensive rebound. He hit one of two free throws with seconds remaining, tying the game and forcing overtime.
In overtime, Francis dominated with seven points, including a crucial and-one to give Rutgers a five-point lead. Northwestern struggled as Martinelli missed key buckets and Reid fouled out. Despite Page narrowing the gap with late free throws, the Wildcats trailed by one in the final seconds. After Buchanan Jr. split a pair of free throws, West strided and attempted a game-winning layup, but Buchanan Jr. sealed the 77–75 victory with a massive block. The heartbreaking loss leaves Northwestern winless in conference play.
Northwestern wrapped up its road-game swing and will return to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday (Jan. 14) against Illinois.