NMU Women’s B-Ball team falls to Lakers

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team fell 58-48 to Grand Valley State University in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup from GVSU Fieldhouse on Thursday (Jan. 10). The Lakers improve to 10-3 overall and 6-3 in GLIAC, while the ‘Cats fall to 8-5 and 5-4 in the conference.

Northern took the lead to start the game on a made jump shot by freshman guard Anna Liewen in the opening seconds of play, but GVSU tied the game seconds later. The Lakers led by 10 or less for the entire first half, except for the two times the ‘Cats were able to tie the score. Grand Valley led 30-25 at halftime.

In the second half, the Lakers opened with a three pointer by Dani Crandall, to improve its margin to eight. Northern wasn’t able to close that margin for the remainder of the game, and trailed by as many as 15 points.

Liewen and sophomore guard Alyssa Colla led the way for the Wildcats with 12 points, while sophomore guard Lauren Gruber closed out the double figures with 11. Colla also led the boards with seven total rebounds, five on defense. Sophomore center Courtney Lemon added six and junior center Annie Rebundunst earned five.

NMU shot 18-for-44 on the night, and were 10-for-16 from the charity stripe. The ‘Cats finished the game with 16 turnovers to GVSU’s 11, and were outrebounded 32-29.

For the Lakers, Briauna Taylor led all scorers with 24 points on 11 field goals and was 2-for-3 from the free throw line. Alex Stelfox tied Colla with seven total rebounds for the game. GVSU shot 24-for-57 and were 5-for-6 from the free throw line.

The Wildcats will continue play on the road at Ferris State University on Saturday (Jan. 12) at 3 p.m.