IU basketball: Northwestern 74 Indiana 61– Three keys, highlights, final stats

CHICAGO — Indiana lost to Northwestern Wednesday evening in their Big Ten Tournament opener at United Center by a final score of 74-61.

The three keys to the game, highlights and final stats are below.

Indiana led 37-36 at halftime. The Hoosiers were led in the game by Lamar Wilkerson with 17 points.

The game likely concludes Indiana’s season with an 18-14 record, but we’ll know for sure on Sunday.

For Darian DeVries, Tucker DeVries and Lamar Wilkerson postgame, GO HERE.

THREE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Another collapse. In the first meeting in Bloomington, IU led Northwestern by 13 before giving the game away. On Wednesday evening, IU led 25-15 with 9:24 remaining. The offense was clicking and the defense was good enough to win. But the Hoosiers were outscored 59-36 the rest of the way, dominated by a 14-18 team.

2. Indiana’s offense goes cold. The Hoosiers started the game red hot from the field, making 9 of 13 in the first 10 minutes, and still 15 of 24 with just over a minute left in the first half. But in the second half, IU made just 5 of 20 shots from the field and added four turnovers. With Northwestern intent on taking away the threes and switching screens, IU was reduced to dribble drives. They only had two assists in the second half.

3. Martinelli a problem. To the surprise of no one, Big Ten leading scorer Nick Martinelli was a problem for Indiana. As he did in Bloomington, Martinelli took over. He scored a game high 28 points. After starting the game 1 of 4 from the field, he made his last 9 of 14, and he was 7 of 9 at the free throw line. Indiana had some success early doubling Martinelli with two big men, but Northwestern had the adjustments, including using him as a screener in high ball screens. He scored 19 second half points, making it difficult for IU to rally.

HIGHLIGHTS