It wasn't pretty, but Northwestern's first win of the 2025-26 season is in the books. The Wildcats out-slogged Mercyhurst on Monday, 70-47, in a game they'll soon want to forget.
Chris Collins' squad shot just 36.5% overall and was 5-of-19 from beyond the arc. Northwestern frequently reached the free-throw line, but knocked down only 27 of its 38 attempts.
Cincinnati transfer center Arrinten Page earned an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double in his Northwestern debut to lead the way for the 'Cats. Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten's leading scorer a season ago, had 17 points and five boards. The two combined to go 18-of-23 from the charity stripe.
Sophomore K.J. Windham provided 11 points off the bench, shooting 3-of-5 from three. The Wildcats' non-Page newcomers had rocky starts to their Northwestern careers, as Tre Singleton (2-of-7), Max Green (1-of-5) and Jayden Reid (2-of-5) each struggled.
Singleton didn't wait long to score his first collegiate basket, hitting a fadeaway jumper on the opening possession. Northwestern began the game 4-of-5 from the field, but went cold for much of the remainder of the first half. The 'Cats made just one of their next 10 shots and eventually compiled a 36.0% shooting clip heading into the break.
Northwestern held a 36-25 lead at halftime after closing on a 9-2 run. Martinelli hit a hook shot just seconds before the buzzer to give the Wildcats a double-digit advantage, thanks to his 15 first-half points.
Windham provided the spark Northwestern had been looking for to start the second half. The sophomore splashed a three-pointer off an inbound pass, blocked a triple on the other end and saved the ball with a behind-the-back pass. Windham raced down the court in transition, hitting his third deep shot of the game to electrify NU's offense.
Northwestern eventually pulled away with a stout defensive performance in the second half. Mercyhurst shot 27.3% overall in the second, including 0-of-9 from deep.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Friday night when they host the Boston Terriers. Northwestern faces seven consecutive non-conference opponents before opening Big Ten play against the Wisconsin Badgers on December 3.
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