NMU women’s basketball rally falls short

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University women’s basketball (12-8, 10-6 GLIAC) nearly came back from an 11 point deficit but were defeated by Grand Valley State by a 62-58 final. NMU shot 22-47 (.468) from the field and 7-17 (.412) from beyond the arc but committed 16 turnovers in the loss. Senior guard Alyssa Colla scored a game-high 22 points, while sophomore guard Bre Gaspervich chipped in 15.

Northern Michigan opened the game with an early 11-9 lead before Grand Valley went on an 11-5 run to take a 20-16 advantage with 6:33 in the half. The Lakers managed to extend their lead to double-figures at 31-21 with 1:02 left in the half but a three-point basket from Colla set the halftime score at 31-24.

Both teams shot the ball well in the opening frame with NMU going 10-21 (.476) and GVSU shooting 11-24 (.458). Grand Valley State would go 6-9 from the charity stripe while the Wildcats were only able to go to the line once in the half going 1-2.

Shortly after the midway point of the second half, a pair of Gaspervich free throws and Colla jumper cut the Wildcat deficit down to four at 48-44 and 9:24 left in the contest.

The Lakers were then able to re-extend their lead out to 56-47 at the 4:41 mark before NMU answered with a quick 6-0 run to bring the game to one possession at 56-53 and 2:33 on the clock. A three-point basket from Gaspervich then cut the lead down to two with 1:08 left but Grand Valley would shoot 4-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to ice the game at a 62-58 final.

Colla would add seven rebounds, five assists and two steals for NMU, while senior forward Abbey DeBruin also managed to pull down seven boards on the night.

Northern Michigan finishes the weekend travelling to Ferris State Saturday, Feb. 7 for a 1 p.m. tip-off.

(Information/Photo Courtesy of NMU Athletics)