ROSEMONT, Ill. (Interstat) — Nick Martinelli scored 24 points as Northwestern held off a late charge to defeat DePaul 81-79 in a men’s college basketball game Friday at Allstate Arena. The Wildcats improved to 4-0.

Northwestern led by two at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage throughout the second half. DePaul, which fell to 2-2, had a chance to tie in the final seconds but missed a 3-pointer. Arrinten Page added 22 points for Northwestern, while Jayden Reid contributed 17. Kruz McClure led the Blue Demons with 15 points.