Langston Reynolds Hits Stunning Game-Winner as Gophers Edge Northwestern
Langston Reynolds Hits Stunning Game-Winner as Gophers Edge Northwestern
In one of the most thrilling finales of the Big Ten regular season, Langston Reynolds played the hero for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The sophomore guard scored the game’s final four points, including a clutch layup with just 11 seconds remaining, to lift Minnesota to a 67-66 victory over Northwestern on Saturday, March 7. Reynolds finished with a team-high 21 points—17 of which came during a spirited second-half comeback at Williams Arena—to help the Gophers finish the season on a high note.
The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw Northwestern battle back from an early 18-2 deficit. The Wildcats took a late 66-63 lead with under a minute to play, but Reynolds refused to let his team fade. After a pair of free throws cut the lead to one, the Gophers' defense forced a missed jumper from Nick Martinelli, setting up Reynolds for his decisive drive to the basket. The victory moves Minnesota to 15-16 overall and 8-12 in conference play as they head into the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.
Nick Martinelli's Scoring Prowess Not Enough
Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli, the nation’s sixth-leading scorer, once again put the Wildcats on his back, finishing with 23 points and nine rebounds. Despite his efficiency from the floor (9-of-18), Martinelli was unable to find the bottom of the net on the Wildcats' final possession. Jake West provided critical outside shooting for Northwestern, hitting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points, but the Wildcats were plagued by an inability to close out defensive possessions in the final minute.
The Wildcats (13-18, 5-15 Big Ten) struggled significantly on the boards throughout the contest, managing just 15 rebounds as a team. This deficiency allowed Minnesota to secure crucial second-chance opportunities, particularly in the first half when Isaac Asuma sparked the Gophers' early run. Asuma finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Cade Tyson added 15 points to provide the necessary scoring balance for Minnesota.
Tournament Outlook for Both Programs
With the regular season concluded, both teams now turn their attention to the Big Ten Tournament. Northwestern will enter as the No. 15 seed and is scheduled to face Penn State in a Tuesday opening-round matchup. Coach Chris Collins will need a significantly better rebounding effort from his squad if they hope to advance past the Nittany Lions and keep their season alive.
Minnesota, meanwhile, has secured the No. 11 seed and a date with Rutgers on Wednesday. The Gophers have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, particularly at home, and the late-game heroics of Langston Reynolds could provide the momentum needed for a deep tournament run. Head coach Ben Johnson noted that the win was a testament to the team's resilience after several close losses earlier in the season.
