Gruber & Colla carry ‘Cats past Cards

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Northern Michigan University (9-6, 7-4 GLIAC) scored 36 points in the second half against Saginaw Valley as they pulled away for a 62-46 victory. Senior guard Alyssa Colla led all scorers with 21 points shooting 9-13 (.692) from the field with fellow senior guard Lauren Gruber recording a double-double scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

Northern Michigan used a 15-4 run to go up 20-9 with 7:41 to play in the first half after a 5-5 start to the contest that gave the Wildcats a lead they wouldn’t vanquish. The Cardinals were able to answer at the end of the half scoring 11 of the next 15 points to cut down their deficit to 24-20 with 2:47 in the half. The teams would trade baskets in the final minutes to put the half time score at 26-22.

Colla opened the half with 12 points, while Gruber was able to score nine points and pull down eight rebounds in the opening frame. The Wildcat defense held the Cardinals to 9-32 (.281) shooting to start the game.

NMU opened the second half similarly to the first half using a 9-0 run to extend their lead to double digits at 44-30 with 13:43 left in the game. The lead would remain in double-figures with NMU building their lead to as large as 19 before cruising to the 62-46 final.

The Wildcats finished the game shooting 23-57 (.404) from the field as they outscored Saginaw 16-4 in points off turnovers.

Northern Michigan finishes the weekend travelling to Hillsdale Saturday, Jan. 24 for a 1 p.m. tip.

(Information/Photo Courtesy of NMU Athletics)