Pytleski scores career-high 14 points
EDINBORO, Pa. – The Northern Michigan women’s basketball team clinched a three-game weekend sweep in the team’s opening weekend of play at the CCA Tip-Off Classic. The ‘Cats aced this perfect weekend by defeating Edinboro (65-50), giving the team a 3-0 early-season record.
This victory followed the win against California University of Pennsylvania (66-57) and the statement win over No. 5 Gannon (60-58), marking Northern’s first victory over a top-five opponent since March 16, 2019.
NMU was able to maintain the lead for 72.4% of the game, while shooting 10-for-22 in three-pointers, compared to Edinboro’s 3-for-15. The Wildcats recorded 15 assists, three blocks, and three steals, while scoring 28 of the 65 points from in the paint.
During the CCA Tip-Off Classic, Edinboro went 0-3 in matches against Minnesota State University, University of North Georgia, and the Wildcats.
Jacy Weisbrod continued to be constant on both sides of the ball for NMU. The senior shot .857 on free throws during the weekend, making six out of seven attempts. She recorded a .524 from three-point range and led the game in points with 17. Addison Pytleski added a career-best 14 points, and Sydney Whitehouse added 12.
Weisbrod, alongside Alyssa Hill, Whitehouse, and Madison Schroeder, all contributed six rebounds apiece. Whitehouse continued on with her impressive opening weekend, recording two blocks and two steals in the win, the most in both statistical categories.
How it Happened
Edinboro began the game strong, gaining a quick 10-0 lead over the ‘Cats. Sydney Whitehouse put an end to the early run, making a layup for the opening Wildcat points. The Fighting Scots added 2 more points, setting the score to 12-2 with 6:28 left in the first quarter.
After this, the ‘Cats turned up the pressure, making this 10-point Edinboro lead the most the team would see during the competition. Weisbrod knocked down a pair of three, and at the end of the first, the score read 15-14 in favor of Edinboro.
During the second quarter, Edinboro went 0-5 from the three-point line, while NMU added nine points from behind the arc. NMU continued to push forward against the Fighting Scots, breaking out on a 12-0 run and leading 38-26 heading into halftime after Whitehouse beat the buzzer with a basket.
Moving into the third quarter, the offenses started slow, but Edinboro caught fire first, shrinking the Wildcats’ lead to four points (38-34), before a layup from Whitehouse paired with a three-pointer from Addison Pytleski shifted the momentum back to NMU’s side. Quickly, CJ Romero and Jacy Weisbrod also added threes in the closing minute, suddenly restating the Wildcats’ lead by 13, 49-36, heading to the fourth.
The Wildcats continued to lay the pressure on the Fighting Scots, opening play with big efforts on both sides of the ball. In the fourth quarter, NMU grabbed 7 deceive rebounds and scored 14 points off Edinboro turnovers.
Even with a late-game surge, the Wildcats were able to ice off a perfect weekend with a 15-point differential win (65-50).
Up Next
The Wildcats will next travel to Wisconsin Dells for match-ups against Upper Iowa on November 14 and Lewis on November 15, both at 6 p.m. ET.
