Craggs leads NMU Men's B-Ball to GLIAC win

Courtesy of NMU Athletics
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team ended its six game losing streak, and earned its first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win of the season on Sunday (Dec. 16) against Ohio Dominican University. The ‘Cats (2-6 overall and 1-4 GLIAC) defeated the Panthers from Alumni Hall, 77-73.

ODU (3-7 overall; 0-6 GLIAC) led for the first ten minutes of the game, until NMU was able to take the lead with 9:30 to go in the half. There were 13 different lead changes from there, and the half would be tied twice. Going into halftime the ‘Cats took the 28-27 advantage over the Panthers.

Ohio took the lead out of the gates in the second half on a three-pointer by Morgan Jones, and would keep its lead until 12 minutes to go in the game. From there, NMU took the lead and held onto it for the remainder of the game. The Panthers were able to tie it once, but never regained the lead.

Leading the way for NMU was Matthew Craggs with 27 points on one three-pointer, 10 field goals and went six-for-eight from the free throw line. Matt Iverson (15), Kendall Jackson (14) and Stephen Pelkofer (12) each entered the double digits for the ‘Cats. TJ Cameron led the board battle with ten total rebounds, six on offense. Jackson and Iverson each added nine.

For the game, Northern shot 26-for-68 and was 18-for-24 from the free throw line. NMU out rebounded the Panthers, 42-40, and committed ten turnovers to Ohio’s 14.

For the Panthers, Morgan Jones led with 24 total points, while John Mark Minch had 13 and John Trew had 11. Bobby Stauffer tallied 10 rebounds and Don Kellum had nine.

Northern will continue play in Ohio on Tuesday against Tiffin University at 6 p.m.