Camren Wynter, Penn State spoil Senior Night in Evanston

Northwestern dropped its third straight game and was stunned by Camren Wynter in overtime’s closing seconds.

Northwestern looked to win its first game in nearly two weeks Wednesday night, as the Wildcats welcomed a Penn State team itching for a win to keep its at-large NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Unfortunately for NU, its most anticipated Senior Night game in recent memory ended heartbreakingly, as Camren Wynter likely sank the Wildcats’ hopes for a Big Ten Tournament double-bye in overtime’s final moments. Penn State (18-12, 9-10 Big Ten) took advantage of another critical road opportunity, similar to the one against Illinois in December of 2022, and seized it. Wynter’s 27 points and heroic efforts silenced the Welsh-Ryan Arena crowd as NU (20-10, 11-8 Big Ten) fell 68-65.

It marked Northwestern’s third consecutive loss after winning five in a row, which included upsets of then-No. 14 ranked Indiana and a court storm against then-No. 1 Purdue after trailing by eight with four minutes remaining.

On a night when the likes of Boo Buie, Robbie Beran, Roy Dixon III, Tydus Verhoeven, and Chase Audige were celebrated, head coach Chris Collins was crushed that he couldn’t get his core guys a proper send-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena.

“Senior Nights are always emotional, but especially tonight,” Collins said after the loss.

Emotions indeed, considering that the senior class which leaves the Purple and White behind began their careers with a 3-17 record in Big Ten play as freshmen, including a home loss to Merrimack, arguably the program’s lowest moment in several seasons to that point.

Buie, the senior guard that has propelled Northwestern to its most recent success, can return to the program for his sixth season if he so chooses. For now, he’s just enjoying the ride in front of him as the Albany, New York, native finished with 20 points.

“I’m just super thankful for Northwestern University,” Buie said.

Buie recognizes that there are still more games to be played and that with how tough the Big Ten can get on a nightly basis, moving on from losses is the only thing to do at this stage of the season.

“This is the Big Ten. You can lose to anyone. You can’t really dwell on anything,” Buie said.

Northwestern will travel to Rutgers in the regular season finale

Ahead of next week’s Big Ten Tournament, the Wildcats will rematch Rutgers (18-11, 10-8 Big Ten), who is in a crowded race for second place in conference play. A victory for the Scarlet Knights against Minnesota Thursday night and an Illinois win against Michigan will see the Big Ten become a seven-way tie for the number-two spot in the league.

Rutgers beat Northwestern in the first meeting, 65-62, on January 11 in Evanston.

The Wildcats will need to secure a win in Piscataway to give themselves a chance for extra rest. Sunday’s tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.