Martinelli's 22 help Northwestern beat USC 74-68, snap 9-game skid in
Big Ten play
[January 22, 2026]
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nick Martinell scored 17 of his 22 points in the
second half on Wednesday night to help Northwestern beat USC 74-68 and
snap a five game losing streak.
Five-star freshman Alijah Arenas — a McDonald's All-American and the son
of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas — made his debut for USC and
finished with eight points on 3-of-15 shooting, 0 for 6 from 3-point
range. The 6-foot-6 guard hit a pull-up jumper along the right baseline
nearly 3 1/2 minutes into the game for his first points and added a
360-layup about two minutes later. |
Northwestern forward Tyler Kropp, center, shoots as Southern California
forward Terrance Williams II, left, and center Gabe Dynes defends during
the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21,
2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) |
|
Northwestern (9-10, 1-7) Big Ten) had lost nine straight games
in conference play dating to last season. The Wildcats ended
their worst start in Big Ten play since the 2007-08 team lost
its first 14 games.
Jordan Marsh scored all of his 19 points in the second half and
Ezra Ausar added 17 points — 13 after halftime — for USC (14-4,
3-5). Jacob Cofie had 12 rebounds to go with nine points.
Chad Baker-Mazara, USC's leading scorer (18.9 per game),
finished with 14 points in 13 foul-plagued minutes.
Nick Martinelli had his 10th consecutive game scoring at least
20 points, the longest active streak in the nation Freshman
Tyler Kropp made his first career start and finished with 11
points on 5-of-6 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. Jake West
also scored 11 points and had five assists.
With 1.6 seconds on the shot clock, Max Green threw and inbounds
pass from three-quarters court to Martinelli, who immediately
turned and hit a baseline jumper to make it 67-63 with 2:14 to
play. Martinelli then stole the ball, went coast to coast and
fed Kropp for a layup and it was at least a two-possession game
the rest of the way.
Up next
Northwestern: The Wildcats play Saturday at UCLA.
USC: The Trojans visit Wisconsin on Sunday.
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