Nick Martinelli poured in 27 points and maintained his perfect 3-point streak to start the season as host Northwestern edged a pesky Illinois-Chicago team 83-74 on Tuesday night in Evanston, Ill.

The Wildcats (2-1) forced four turnovers in the first four minutes of the second half after UIC tied the game at 31 on the opening possession. Northwestern soon pulled away to a double-digit lead and finished the night shooting 50 percent from the floor.

Despite being without guard Brooks Barnhizer, who was nursing a foot injury, the Wildcats relied on their young core to preserve the win. Martinelli made two 3-pointers to improve to 7-for-7 for the season. Jalen Leach scored 16 points, Ty Berry had 13 with six rebounds and Luke Hunger added 10 points.

Javon Jackson led four players in double figures for UIC (2-1), scoring 17. Sasa Ciani had 15 points and eight rebounds, Filip Skobalj scored 13 and Ahmad Henderson II added 12.

The Wildcats struggled to find a rhythm offensively in the first half, going just 9-for-22 on 2-point shots. Northwestern trailed by as many as six before rallying to lead 31-29 at the break.

The Wildcats increased their lead to 52-42 at the 11:50 mark of regulation thanks to Berry’s 3-pointer, part of a run of five straight field goals.

Northwestern rode an 11-2 run through the eight-minute mark of the second half, increasing its lead to as many as 14. The Flames rallied to cut the lead to 74-70 with 1:35 left, but it was too little, too late after Martinelli sealed the game with an and-1 opportunity and a forced turnover on the other end.

UIC shot 46.3 percent from the field, but 20 turnovers plagued a once-blooming offensive attack that played from behind in the second half.

Northwestern improved to 7-4 all-time against Illinois-Chicago, winning its fourth straight game in the series.

–Field Level Media