Lady Wildcats fall in OT

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team fell 73-70 in a thrilling overtime game by visiting Ferris State University on Saturday (Feb. 9) from the Berry Events Center.

NMU is now 11-10 and 8-9 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, with the Bulldogs improving to 11-9 and 10-7 in the conference.

Northern held a three point (60-57) lead with 34 seconds remaining in regulation after sophomore guard Alyssa Colla sank two free throw shots. On the next possession, FSU’s Sarah DeShone nailed a basket from beyond the arc and was fouled. After the made free throw, the Bulldogs held the one point advantage with 24 ticks left on the clock.

NMU drove down the court as DeShone fouled sophomore guard Abbey DeBruin, sending her to the free throw line with just seven seconds remaining. DeBruin missed the first and made the second to tie the game. The Bulldogs Katie Mavis tried for the buzzer beater three-point shot, but fell short sending the game into overtime.

FSU opened the extra time of play on a made free throw by April LaCross. Sophomore guard Lauren Gruber answered back with a three-point shot, giving NMU the lead (64-62). With 1:57 left, DeShone tied (66-66) the game on a made jumper. On FSU’s next possession, Kylie Muntz would sink a shot from beyond two point territory to give the Bulldogs the 69-66 lead with just a minute to go.

FSU extended its lead to 72-68 with 13 seconds left. Colla drove into the lane to cut the deficit to two (70-72) with just six seconds remaining. On the final scoring play, FSU’s LaCross was fouled and sent to the free throw line, making 1-of-2 to close out the game.

The Bulldogs held the 30-24 advantage at halftime, after going up by as many as 12. NMU trailed for the entire first half, until tying it in the opening two minutes of the second half.

Colla finished with a game-high 18 points after going 6-for-14 from the floor and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Gruber (13) and freshman guard Anna Liewen (13) closed out the double figures for NMU. Sophomore guards Brooke Coenen (10) and Maria Almquist (5) combined for 15 points off the bench. Makela had eight rebounds and Liewen tallied seven.

The Wildcats shot 40 percent (22-for-55) from the floor and were 84 percent (21-for-25) from the free throw line. NMU out rebounded the Bulldogs, 38-34.

For FSU, Muntz and DeShone finished with 15 points apiece. Kara Hess and Felicia Standly each added 13, and Mavis had 10.

The Bulldogs shot 41.9 percent (26-for-62) on the afternoon and finished 65 percent (13-for-20) at the free throw line.

This is the first time the NMU women’s basketball team has played an overtime game since the 2010-11 season.

Northern will travel to Saginaw Valley on Thursday (Feb. 14) and Wayne State on Saturday (Feb. 16) in two GLIAC North Division games.