NMU Men's B-Ball team looks to end losing skid

Courtesy of Northern Michigan University Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – A pair of top south division opponents await the Northern Michigan men’s basketball team this week, as the Wildcats host Wayne State (Feb. 2) and Findlay (Feb. 4) at the Berry Events Center.

The ‘Cats enter the matchup at 8-11 on the season and 4-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. NMU fell 89-41 to No. 20 Hillsdale (Jan. 26) and 64-58 at Northwood (Jan. 28) and is on a three-game slide.

Freshman guard Haki Stampley leads NMU in scoring with an average of 14.8 points per game. Stampley netted 20 points in the loss to Northwood to reach the 20 point mark for the third time this season. Senior guard DeAndre Taylor is second on the team in scoring with an average of 12.6 ppg and leads NMU with 5.9 rebounds per game. Junior forward TJ Cameron has filled in nicely for the previously injured Quinten Calloway, averaging 7.3 ppg and 3.3 rpg.

The Warriors enter the contest at 12-7 on the season and 9-4 in the GLIAC. WSU sits in third place in the south division and has won three straight including a 92-57 win over Lake Erie (Jan. 28).

The ‘Cats are 33-32 all-time against the Warriors dating back to the 1934-35 season. WSU has won four straight in the series, including a 77-69 meeting last season in Detroit.

The Oilers enter the week at 15-4 on the season and 9-3 in the GLIAC. Findlay has won three straight in dominating fashion, outscoring its opponents by an average of 87.3 to 59.0 during that stretch.

NMU is just 3-13 against Findlay dating back to the 1997-98 season. The Oilers have won seven straight in the series including a 86-65 decision last season in Findlay.

Thursday’s game is part of a doubleheader, with the women’s game set to tipoff at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s afternoon game is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Posted by Jerry Taylor