Northwestern uses Martinelli's last second heroics to stave off USC 77-75

Northwestern uses Martinelli’s last second heroics to stave off USC 77-75

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Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli, right, drives to the basket past Southern California forward Saint Thomas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli, center, drives against Southern California guard Chibuzo Agbo, left, and forward Saint Thomas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Southern California forward Saint Thomas (0) battles for a loose ball against Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson (34) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli, right, drives to the basket past Southern California forward Saint Thomas, left, and guard Chibuzo Agbo during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Northwestern guard Justin Mullins, right, celebrates with forward Nick Martinelli (2) after scoring a three-point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Southern California forward Matt Knowling (3) drives to the basket against Northwestern guard Jalen Leach during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Southern California forward Saint Thomas (0) drives to the basket against Northwestern guard Angelo Ciaravino, left, and center Matthew Nicholson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Southern California guard Chibuzo Agbo (7) looks to the basket against Northwestern guard Ty Berry (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Northwestern head coach Chris Collins yells his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Southern California guard Clark Slajchert, left, drives to the basket against Northwestern guard Ty Berry, center, and center Matthew Nicholson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Nick Martinelli scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and his basket with 2.6 seconds left helped Northwestern hold off USC 77-75 on Tuesday night.

Martinelli split a double team near the baseline and softly laid it in to give Northwestern (13-10, 4-8 Big Ten) the lead in the closing seconds. Out of a timeout, USC put the ball in the hands of Clark Slajchert who took a few dribbles before a Wildcats defender knocked it out of bounds and time expired.

Slajchert converted a four-point play on a straight-away 3-pointer and a free throw with 29 seconds left to tie it at 75-all. With 1:54 left and USC trailing 72-67, Slajchert also drew a foul on Blake Smith from beyond the arc and made 1 of 3 from the line.

Northwestern led 33-31 and stretched the margin to 15 points, 59-44, over the first 10 minutes of the second half before USC fought its way back but never took the lead.

Martinelli recorded a career-high 10 offensive rebounds and reserve Justin Mullins scored 14 points for Northwestern.

Slajchert scored 24 points, shooting 9 for 11, Wesley Yates III scored 15 points and Chibuzo Agbo 14 for USC (13-9, 5-6).

USC plays at No. 7 Purdue on Friday. Northwestern plays at Washington on Saturday.

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