Lady Wildcats rally for win

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team snapped its two game winless streak on Thursday (Jan. 17) with a 67-57 victory over Saginaw Valley State University from the Berry Events Center.

The ‘Cats improve to 8-7 overall on the season and 5-6 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, while the Cardinals drop to 6-8 overall and 4-6 in the conference.

Saginaw jumped out to a 4-0 lead before NMU got on the board in the opening minutes of play. The Cardinals led the first half from the 15 minute mark on, going up by as many as 10, and entering the break with the 30-24 advantage.

The Cardinals kept the lead until 9:51 remaining in the game when NMU tied the game at 45 on a made layup by sophomore forward Abbey DeBruin. In the following three minutes of play, there were seven lead changes exchanged between the two teams, and a tied score twice.

Northern regained the lead for the final time with 6:08 to go on a made shot from beyond the arc by sophomore guard Sarah Miller. From there, the ‘Cats went on a 14-6 run scoring 10 free throws and two field goals in the last five minutes of play.

Sophomore guard Alyssa Colla scored a season-high 20 points on two three-pointers, four field goals and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Lauren Gruber contributed with 14 points, while DeBruin tallied 10. Colla, freshman guard Anna Liewen, freshman forward Nea Makela and DeBruin each earned five rebounds on the night.

Northern finished the game shooting 45 percent (22-for-49) and were 18-for-21 for 86 percent from the free throw line. NMU committed 15 turnovers, and had 36 total rebounds.

Emily Wendling led all scorers with 26 points on one shot from three point range, seven field goals and 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Samantha Zirzow added 10 points, Katelyn Carriere and Danielle Carriere combined for 12.

The Cardinals shot 40 percent (19-for-47) and were 89 percent from the free throw line. Saginaw had 14 turnovers in the game, and pulled down 22 rebounds.

NMU will continue play at home on Saturday (Jan. 19) against Wayne State University in a North Division game at 1 p.m. The Warriors defeated Michigan Tech, 70-59 on Thursday night.