Top performers

The Terrapins took an early six-point lead over Northwestern in the early stages of the first half, but the Wildcats took the lead after going on a 10-0 run lasting nearly four minutes until Maryland's Kevin Huerter ended Maryland's scoring drought with 7:47 in the half.

Maryland, however, responded with a 7-0 run to get back into the game and with 4:03 left in the half, cut the lead to one. As time expired in the first half, L.G. Gill hit a buzzer-beating jump shot to give the Terrapins a 36-34 lead at halftime. 

Northwestern ended the half in a 1-for-7 funk shooting from the field. Both teams shot above 50 percent from the field in the half, and Huerter was the only player reach double-figures in scoring, with 12.

Maryland started the second half by scoring eight unanswered points to extend its lead to 10. The run came to an end after Bryant McIntosh hit a corner 3-pointer with 15:56 left in the half. The Wildcats opened the half shooting 1-of-5 from the field.

Northwestern quickly regained focus, to go on a 12-3 run spanning three minutes to tie the game at 46-all. With 11:07 to play, Vic Law hit a jumper to give the Wildcats the lead. Back-to-back scores from Scotti Lindsey capped off a 13-0 Northwestern run, as Maryland went scoreless in over a six-minute window.

Maryland cut its deficit down to three points, but two additional unanswered scores from Law gave Northwestern a 60-53 lead with 3:31 to play. With 2:06 to play, Law hit a pair of free throws to extend Northwestern's lead to 11 points.

McIntosh added two more points from free throws to make it a 70-57 game with 1:43 to play. Lindsey added the final blow with a free throw with 43 seconds left. Huerter made one last three.

In the second half alone, Northwestern held Maryland to 41.7 percent from the field in the half and 47.1 percent for the game. The Wildcats finished shooting 55.3 percent from the floor.

Northwestern will play No. 2 Wisconsin Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.