Purdue Edges Northwestern 70-66 as C.J. Cox Explodes in Second Half, Securing Crucial Big Ten Victory

The No. 15 Purdue Boilermakers navigated a tense road matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats, ultimately prevailing 70-66 in a hard-fought contest on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois. The victory was propelled by a career-defining second-half performance from guard C.J. Cox, who poured in 21 of his game-high 27 points after the break. The win snapped Purdue’s two-game losing streak and halted Northwestern’s recent surge, preventing the Wildcats from extending their three-game winning streak.

Boilermakers Rally Behind Cox’s Stellar Second Half

The narrative of the game shifted dramatically after halftime, with Purdue trailing Northwestern. C.J. Cox, who had a modest scoring output in the first half, found his rhythm and ignited the Boilermakers’ offense. His offensive onslaught, characterized by clutch shooting and timely drives to the basket, proved to be the decisive factor. Cox’s 27-point effort, a new career best, underscored his importance to Purdue’s offensive capabilities, especially in critical moments.

Complementing Cox’s heroics was the steady presence of Trey Kaufman-Renn, who delivered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. His contributions on both ends of the floor provided a crucial anchor for the Boilermakers, helping them control the glass and convert second-chance opportunities. The combined effort of Cox and Kaufman-Renn allowed Purdue to overcome a spirited challenge from the Wildcats and secure a vital conference win.

Late-Game Drama Seals Purdue’s Fate

The closing minutes of the game were fraught with tension. With just over a minute remaining, Northwestern guard Jordan Clayton connected on a corner three-pointer, giving the Wildcats a slim 66-65 lead. The jubilant home crowd at Welsh-Ryan Arena erupted, sensing a potential upset. However, the lead was ephemeral. On the very next possession, C.J. Cox responded with a clutch three-pointer of his own, reclaiming the lead for Purdue at 68-66.

The Boilermakers then capitalized on crucial turnovers by the Wildcats in the final 36 seconds. These miscues, coupled with Purdue’s ability to convert from the free-throw line, sealed the victory and prevented Northwestern from staging a final comeback. The ability of Purdue to execute under pressure, particularly in the wake of Northwestern’s go-ahead basket, highlighted their maturity and resilience as a team.

Northwestern’s Senior Leadership Shines in Defeat

Despite the loss, Northwestern showcased a determined performance, particularly from their senior leadership. Nick Martinelli, the Wildcats’ leading scorer in the conference, delivered a valiant effort in his final home game at Welsh-Ryan Arena, amassing 28 points. His offensive prowess kept Northwestern in the contest throughout, and his ability to consistently find the scoring column demonstrated his value to the team. Jayden Reid also contributed significantly, adding 16 points to the Wildcats’ total.

The Wildcats played without the services of Jake West, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. West’s absence undoubtedly impacted Northwestern’s depth and offensive options, making their competitive performance against a ranked opponent even more commendable. The team’s ability to push Purdue to the brink, even with a key player out, speaks volumes about their fighting spirit.

Purdue’s Season Trajectory and Conference Implications

With this victory, the No. 15 Purdue Boilermakers improved their season record to 23-7 overall and solidified their standing in the Big Ten Conference at 13-6. The win was particularly important as it ended a two-game skid that had raised some concerns about the team’s recent form. For Northwestern, the loss concluded their regular season home schedule with a record of 13-17 overall and a conference mark of 5-14. The Wildcats’ three-game winning streak was halted, leaving them to reflect on a season that saw moments of promise but ultimately fell short of their aspirations.

The victory for Purdue has significant implications for their NCAA Tournament seeding. As a top-15 team, a win on the road against a Big Ten opponent, even one with a losing conference record, bolsters their resume and provides momentum heading into the postseason. The ability to secure a win after a couple of disappointing outings demonstrates the resilience of this Purdue squad and their capacity to perform under pressure.

Other Notable Conference Results

Beyond the Big Ten, several other significant matchups unfolded, shaping the landscape of college basketball:

No. 7 Houston 77, Baylor 64

In a Big 12 Conference clash, the No. 7 Houston Cougars secured a comeback victory over Baylor, closing out their home schedule with a 77-64 win. Sharpshooter Emanuel Sharp was instrumental for Houston, hitting 5 of 10 three-point attempts en route to a 19-point performance. The Cougars, now 25-5 overall and 13-4 in conference play, extended their one-game lead over third-place Texas Tech in the Big 12 standings.

Houston trailed for much of the game before mounting a decisive run in the second half. They seized their first lead with 7:16 remaining and then exploded for a 20-3 surge to pull away from the Bears, who fell to 15-15 overall and 5-12 in conference play. Kingston Flemings led Houston with a game-high 21 points and seven assists, while Milos Uzan added 12 points. For Baylor, Tounde Yessoufou recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, complemented by Caden Powell’s 12 points and six boards. This win is crucial for Houston’s aspirations of securing a top seed in the Big 12 Tournament and a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

No. 20 Arkansas 105, Texas 85

The No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks clinched a crucial double bye in the Southeastern Conference Tournament with a resounding 105-85 victory over the Texas Longhorns in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Darius Acuff Jr. was a standout performer for the Razorbacks, tallying 28 points and tying a season high with 13 assists. Senior Trevon Brazile also celebrated his final home game with a career-high 28 points, highlighting the emotional significance of the win.

Arkansas, now 22-8 overall and 12-5 in the SEC, bounced back emphatically from a demoralizing 111-77 loss to then-No. 7 Florida just days prior. The performance against Texas showcased the team’s offensive firepower and their ability to rebound from setbacks. D.J. Wagner contributed 15 points, and Meleek Thomas added 13 points for the Razorbacks. For Texas (18-12, 9-8), Matas Vokietaitis scored 21 points, Tramon Mark added 18, and Dailyn Swain chipped in with 16 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. This win solidifies Arkansas’s position as a top contender in the SEC and provides them with valuable rest heading into the postseason.

No. 22 Miami 77, SMU 69

In Atlantic Coast Conference action, the No. 22 Miami Hurricanes secured a 77-69 road victory against a short-handed SMU Mustangs squad. Tre Donaldson led Miami with 17 points, while Malik Reneau added a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. The win guaranteed Miami a third-place finish in the ACC standings, securing them a coveted double bye in the upcoming conference tournament. Furthermore, the Hurricanes tied a program record for regular-season victories, reaching 24 wins against just 6 losses overall and a strong 13-4 ACC record.

The loss for SMU (19-11, 8-9) leaves them in a precarious position in the middle of the ACC standings, with a chance to move up to eighth place depending on their final game’s outcome. Jaron Pierre Jr. was the leading scorer for SMU with 27 points, and Boopie Miller contributed 21 points in the losing effort. Miami’s consistent performance throughout the season, culminating in a record-tying win and a high conference finish, positions them as a dangerous team heading into the postseason.

No. 25 Saint Louis 79, Loyola Chicago 65

The No. 25 Saint Louis Billikens closed out their home schedule with an undefeated record at home, defeating Loyola Chicago 79-65. Amari McCottry led the Billikens with 18 points, spearheading their offensive attack. The victory secured Saint Louis a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season title, earning them the No. 1 seed and a double bye in the conference tournament. This win marked their 22nd consecutive home victory, tying a school record and underscoring their dominance at Chaifetz Arena.

Saint Louis, now 27-3 overall and 15-2 in the A-10, has had a remarkable season, and their strong finish at home sets them up as a favorite in the conference tournament. Dion Brown added 15 points for the Billikens, and Robbie Avila contributed 12 points. Loyola Chicago (7-23, 3-14) received a strong performance from Xavier Amos, who poured in 25 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Kayde Dotson also added 19 points for the Ramblers, who have struggled recently, losing five of their last six games. Saint Louis’s overall dominance and undefeated home record make them a formidable opponent for any team in the postseason.

These results highlight a busy day in college basketball, with significant implications for conference races and NCAA Tournament seeding as the regular season draws to a close. The performances of players like C.J. Cox, Emanuel Sharp, Darius Acuff Jr., and Amari McCottry underscore the individual brilliance that often defines the sport.