Weisbrod, Whitehouse each score 18 points for Wildcats
EDINBORO, Penn. – In a close match with the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans, the Northern Michigan women’s basketball team came out victorious in their first game of the season, 66-57.
The score became tied at multiple points during the game, and each team possessed a double-digit lead. Northern secured the game’s key run, an 11-0 stretch in the fourth quarter to widen a 51-50 lead to 62-50.
Jacy Weisbrod tallied 18 points with four triples and led the Wildcats with three steals. Sydney Whitehouse added 18 points of her own, tying her career-high from late last season. Sarah Newcomer also added nine points to the Wildcat score while Alyssa Hill tallied eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds. She led a dominant effort on the glass in which NMU held a 40-21 advantage and a 20-5 margin in second-chance points.
Northern outshot the Vulcans in the paint 34-24 during this season opener. Each team committed 17 turnovers in the game.
The second half was key for the Wildcats, as they outscored the Vulcans 44-27 after trailing 30-22 at halftime. NMU shot 10-14 (71.4%) in the dominant 22-11 third quarter and was 18-33 (54.5%) overall in the final 20 minutes.
Alicia Young of the Vulcans added 20 points, aided by 10 points and two rebounds from Kennedy Bankett. The Wildcats scored 20 of their 66 points off turnovers from California, while the Vulcans only scored 11 off Wildcat turnovers.
This season opener for the ‘Cats sets up momentum moving forward in the weekend of play in the CCA Tip-Off Classic.
How it Happened
Scoring first in the match was Alyssa Hill (assisted by Addison Pytleski), adding two points for the ‘Cats. This was then followed up by a three-pointer from California’s Trinity Bealong, assisted by Alicia Young.
Northern built a 10-3 lead in the first, but California scored the final seven points to even the score 10-10 after 10 minutes. NMU was scoreless for the final 4:36 of the quarter.
The Vulcans went on an extended 22-3 run from the first quarter into the second and held their largest lead of 25-13. NMU chipped its deficit to 30-22 at halftime.
The Wildcats responded out of the break with a 10-3 run, including six points from Whitehouse, to close their deficit to one. Another 7-0 run later, that included the first career points from Faith Walder, put NMU back in front with the third winding down.
NMU maintained a slim lead and had a 51-50 lead with 5:38 to play. From there, the Wildcats broke out on a pivotal 11-0 run over three minutes to put the game away. The run was a team effort, as five different ‘Cats got the baskets.
Up Next
The Wildcats will continue the season-opening weekend tomorrow in Erie, Pennsylvania, taking on Gannon at 7 p.m. Gannon defeated No. 2 Union University 66-51 in their season opener.
