Martinelli split a double team near the baseline and softly laid it in to give Northwestern the lead in the closing seconds.

With 35 seconds remaining and Northwestern clinging to a 74-71 lead, graduate student center Matthew Nicholson was fouled on his way to the basket. Had he converted both free throws, the game would have been all but decided.

Nick Martinelli capped a 27-point night by hitting a scoop shot with two seconds remaining to give Northwestern a 77-75 win over Southern California on Tuesday in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern

Nick Martinelli scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and his basket with 2.6 seconds left helped Northwestern men’s basketball hold off USC 77-75 on Tuesday in Evanston.