Benson's career night wasted; NMU Men drop 9 straight
Courtesy of NMU Athletics
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Senior center Jared Benson reached a significant milestone, netting his 1,000th career point in an 81-53 loss to Northwood tonight (Feb. 23) at the Berry Events Center.
With two games left in his career and needing just six more points, Benson scored career point number 1,000 with a layup in the second half. Benson becomes just the 29th player in NMU men’s basketball history to reach the milestone.
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 8-17 on the season and 4-14 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. NMU has now dropped nine straight games. The Timberwolves improve to 18-10 overall and 13-5 in the conference.
Northwood raced out to an early 10-2 lead after Bobby Gibson sank a jumper less than three minutes into the contest. The Timberwolves continued their quick pace throughout the first half, preventing the ‘Cats from getting any closer than four points. NMU was unable to reach the free throw line or connect from long range, as the ‘Cats went (0-for-9) from three-point land in the first 20 minutes. Coupled by NMU’s inconsistency on offense and a strong offensive performance on its end, Northwood went into the half up 35-24.
The Timberwolves picked up where they left off to end the first half, opening the last half on a 12-0 run over a three and a half minute stretch. The run propelled Northwood to a 24-point lead as the Timberwolves never looked back.
Benson netted his 1,000th point with a layup by way of sophomore guard Spencer Huss with 14:23 left on the clock. NMU was unable to cut into the Timberwolves lead in the second half, as the ‘Cats struggled to shoot the ball and connect at the charity stripe, going (2-for-7) in the game.
The ‘Cats were led by senior guard DeAndre Taylor with 19 points. Benson also reached double-figures with 12 points and seven boards, while sophomore forward Matthew Craggs netted 10 points after missing the last two games due to injury.
The Timberwolves were led by Bobby Gibson Wes Wilcox both netted 14 points.
The ‘Cats shot 39.7 percent (25-for-63) from the floor and only 5.6 percent (1-for-18) from long range.
Northwood won the battle of the boards, outrebounding NMU 42-34 on the glass.
The ‘Cats conclude the regular season this Saturday (Feb. 25) when they Saginaw Valley State. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
Posted by Jerry