Minnesota defeats Northwestern 78-84
Northwestern's Homecourt Struggles Come Up Just Short in 84-78 Loss to Minnesota
Welsh-Ryan Arena, Evanston, IL - January 3, 2026
In a tightly contested conference matchup, the Minnesota Golden Gophers outlasted the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena, handing Northwestern its first home loss of the season. The 84-78 victory marked a turning point in the game, as Minnesota's strong team performance and timely contributions from key players ultimately gave them the edge they needed to secure the win.
The game was deadlocked at halftime, with both teams trading baskets to deadlock at 34-34. However, Minnesota's superior shooting percentage in the second half proved to be the difference-maker, as they shot 60.8% from the field compared to Northwestern's 49.0%. This disparity allowed Minnesota to build a lead that would prove difficult for the Wildcats to overcome.
Nick Martinelli led Northwestern with 26 points, but his team struggled to contain Cade Tyson and the Golden Gophers' potent offense. Tyson scored 24 points on 46.2% shooting from the field, and Langston Reynolds added 13 points and 13 assists to round out Minnesota's strong performance.
Northwestern's strength lay in its dominance in the paint, where they outscored Minnesota by 8 points. However, their inability to contain Minnesota's outside shooting and limit turnovers ultimately proved costly. The Wildcats committed 11 turnovers compared to Minnesota's 11, which gave the Golden Gophers an advantage on offense.
The loss marks Northwestern's first home defeat of the season, and it raises questions about the team's ability to compete against top opponents. Despite this setback, the Wildcats remain in contention for a spot in the postseason, and they will look to bounce back from this loss when they host Purdue next week.
For Minnesota, the win is a significant one in their pursuit of conference supremacy. With the victory, the Golden Gophers move closer to the top of the standings and prove once again why they are a team to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.
Box Score
Northwestern (HOME) - 78
Minnesota (AWAY) - 84