Wildcats fall in Double OT vs. ODU

TIFFIN, Ohio — Northern Michigan University freshman Alex Sorenson recorded his first double-double scoring a team high 17 points with a game-high 13 rebounds as the Wildcats were outlasted by Tiffin 85-81 in a double-overtime loss Friday in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action.

NMU moves to 5-6 with the loss and 3-2 in GLIAC play while Tiffin picked up its first league win and improved to 5-7 overall.

NMU had five players score in double-digits led by Sorenson’s 17. Sophomore guard Marcus Hall added 17 followed by senior forward Chavis Mattson at 13 while junior guards Terry Nash and Ethan Blackwell added 10-each.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 10-1 lead to open the game and did not relinquish the lead, despite two ties, until 2:50 left in the first overtime period and led for 36:33 of the 50-minute outing.

A layup by Sorenson with 4:43 left in the first half gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the game 33-18. Tiffin finished the opening period on an 8-0 run to cut the NMU lead to 33-26 at the break.

NMU shot 43.8-percent (14-32) from the floor in the first half while Tiffin connected on 38.5-percent (10-26) of their attempts. Hall led all players with nine first half points.

NMU came out of the break and scored seven unanswered points sparked by a three-pointer and jumper from senior guard Larry Taylor to open the frame.

A free throw from Ashton Khan with 26-seconds left tied the game for the Dragons and forced overtime. The Wildcats regained its lead on free throws from Mattson and Nash 67-65 with 4:12 left in the first overtime.

NMU was down 73-68 with 51-seconds left in the first overtime period but a three-pointer by Sorenson with 34-seconds left and a three-pointer from Blackwell with 19-seconds left tied the game at 74-74 to force the second extra period.

Tiffin came out in the second overtime scoring six points to open the frame and made their free throws down the stretch to hold off the Wildcats and pick up the win.

NMU finished the game shooting 40.8-percent from the floor connecting on 29-81 attempts. NMU was edged on the boards 41-40 while Tiffin took a 44-24 advantage in points in the paint. Tiffin also took advantage of 14 NMU miscues converting those turnovers into 28 points while the Wildcats scored 18 points off 14 Dragon turnovers.

The Wildcats return to action on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Ohio Dominican.

(Information Courtesy of NMU Athletics)