Colla leads NMU women past LSSU
Courtesy of NMU Athletics
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to five on Thursday (Feb. 20) after picking up a 52-38 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match up at Lake Superior State.
With the win, NMU improves to 16-7 overall and 13-6 in the GLIAC. LSSU fell to 5-20 overall and 5-14 in the conference.
“We started out the game with a great defensive effort and kept their points down. We were able to get a 10-12 point lead and kept it there until the last five minutes,” said NMU head coach Troy Mattson. “Courtney Lemon made some big plays for us down the stretch.”
The Wildcats jumped out to a 9-0 lead before the Lakers were able to get on the board. NMU led by as many as 16 in the first half taking a 20-11 at the break. Junior forward Abbey DeBruin led all scorers with six points at the half.
The Wildcats held its lead through the second half. With 10:14 remaining, the Lakers cut the deficit to just four (37-33). However, junior guard Alyssa Colla answered back with two jump shots to begin a 12-0 run for the Wildcats. In the last 10 minutes of the game, NMU outscored the Lakers, 15-4.
Colla led all scorers recording a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. DeBruin added 11 points and eight rebounds. Senior forward Annie Rubendunst added nine points and Makela had eight.
The Wildcats went 20-53 (37.7 percent) from the floor and 9-16 (56.2 percent) at the charity stripe. NMU out-rebounded LSSU, 44-38.
Lake Superior State had no players score in double digits and were led by Alexandra Morrow with nine points off the bench and Stephanie Fisher added eight.
LSSU shot 16-60 (26.7 percent) and were 4-5 (80 percent) at the free throw line.
The Wildcats will travel to Northwood to take on the Timberwolves at 1 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 22).