Wildcats will be in the NCAA D-2 Tournament, but probably lost the chance to host a regional
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan men’s basketball team rallied to turn a 19-point second-half deficit down to six, but the Grand Valley State Lakers held firm down the stretch to defeat the Wildcats 67-57 and win the GLIAC Tournament.
Northern trailed 41-31 at the half, briefly trimmed it to single digits, but the Lakers pushed it all the way to 19, 56-37, nearing 10 minutes to play. The Wildcat then scored 12 straight to close the deficit to 8, and cut it to six three times in the final three minutes, but were never to fully get over the hump.
The pressure and length from the GVSU defense caused issued for the Green and Gold, as they committed 14 turnovers which led to 20 Laker points. Meanwhile, Grand Valley committed only two turnovers all game.
Neither side shot well. NMU’s 39.6% was its third-worst output of the season. The Lakers also fell below 40% at 38.6. Northern also struggled from deep, knocking down just 5-21 (23.8%) three-point attempts, the fewest since the second game of the season.
The Wildcats were paced by Dylan Kuehl with 16 points and eight rebounds. GVSU had four in double figures, with Mason Docks and Jalen Charity each notching 13.
NMU, 27-6 entering the big dance, will now await its NCAA Tournament opponent and location with the NCAA Selection Show tonight 11 p.m. on NCAA.com.
How it Happened
Bennett Basich opened the scoring with a corner three for Northern Michigan, but the Lakers quickly answered with seven straight points. GVSU held a 10-7 advantage at the first media timeout and continued its efficient shooting to build a 17-12 lead at the next break. The Lakers gradually created separation, pushing the margin to double digits at 24-14 as the half crossed its midway point.
A 21-5 stretch from the Lakers, after the teams were tied 12-12, allowed GVSU to nearly double up the Wildcats at 33-17 with seven minutes remaining in the half. Northern found a small spark late, scoring the final five points before the break to trim the deficit to 41-31.
Turnovers proved costly in the opening half, as NMU committed an uncharacteristic nine giveaways while Grand Valley turned all but one into points for 15 total. The Lakers, meanwhile, committed just one turnover and attempted 10 more shots than the Wildcats.
Basich opened the second half with another bucket to cut the deficit to eight, and Northern soon pulled within six at 43-37 before the first media timeout. The momentum stalled shortly after as the Wildcats were whistled for four fouls in less than a minute, and six straight fouls overall sent Grand Valley repeatedly to the free-throw line. The Lakers capitalized, scoring 12 consecutive points, seven coming at the stripe, to extend the lead to 19 with 10:25 remaining while NMU went more than five minutes without a point. Grand Valley had already attempted 12 free throws in the half before Northern reached the line.
The Wildcats mounted a strong push midway through the half, stringing together an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to eight at 56-48 with six minutes remaining. NMU then pulled within six at 58-52 with 2:56 to go. A questionable travel call on Northern wiped away a potential foul situation and gave Grand Valley another possession, which the Lakers converted to push the lead back to eight with two minutes left. Northern answered on the other end, but Grand Valley again delivered with a late shot-clock basket to maintain a six-point cushion with under a minute remaining. The Lakers then forced a turnover in the closing moments to secure the win.
Up Next
The Wildcats will see where they will head for the NCAA Tournament tonight, with the selection show taking place on NCAA.com at 11 p.m. ET.
