Five Wildcats score in double figures
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – The Northern Michigan men’s basketball team opened its season in dominant fashion, soundly defeating the Maryville Saints 91-70 on Friday afternoon in Wisconsin Dells.
With many new faces throughout the lineup, the group looked as if they had been playing together for years. The wealth was spread on offense as five ‘Cats reached double figures. Dylan Kuehl and Charlie Miller led the way with 16 points apiece. Isaiah Allen followed with 13 points in his debut, while Jackson Dudek (11) and Bennett Basich (10) also reached double figures.
NMU’s 91 points came on an efficient 30-59 (50.8%) shooting performance. Seven ‘Cats shot over 40% from the floor, led by Dudek with a perfect 5-5 night. The offense was even better outside the arc, going 13-21 (61.9%). Miller led the way with four triples, Allen went a perfect 3-3, and Dudek, Kuehl, and Aidan Bellisle each connected on their only attempt. In total, seven ‘Cats contributed a three. NMU was also 18-23 (78.3%) from the charity stripe.
Northern commanded the game for most of the way, leading by as many as 27 and holding the edge for 94.1% of play. The Wildcats held a 15-4 advantage in assists. Basich and Cal Klesmit each led the way with four. NMU’s bench outscored Maryville’s 29-9.
Northern improved to 1-0 this season and 6-1 in its three seasons in the Dells, with victories in the past five. The Wildcats have now reached at least 90 points in three of the past four season-openers.
How it Happened
The Wildcats executed a beautiful play on the season’s opening possession, as Dylan Kuehl corralled the ball near the free throw line and found Jackson Dudek cutting baseline for the season’s first bucket. Dudek added the game’s first triple, and Isaiah Allen followed with a three of his own to get the ‘Cats in front 8-4 four minutes in.
The threes kept falling for the Green and Gold, as Charlie Miller and Bennett Basich each contributed their own as part of a 14-3 run to lead 16-7 at 12:40. From there, Allen continued his blistering start as a Wildcat, knocking in two threes along with a jumper to quickly break double figures and help Northern build a 28-15 cushion with 7:20 before halftime.
Northern continued to knock them in from beyond the arc. Miller added his second, and Sam Privet contributed another as the threes kept falling for the ‘Cats in the opening 20 minutes. Kuehl closed the half with six straight to push Northern ahead 44-27 at the break.
The Wildcats shot 17-33 (51.5%) overall and a sizzling 8-13 (61.5%) from three. NMU’s bench outscored the Saints 16-3 in the half, and the Wildcats handed out nine assists to just one from Maryville.
The first half’s success carried over into the second half. Just like the first, Dudek opened the scoring. Kuehl then added consecutive buckets to reach double figures and extend the lead to 50-29 in the early stages of the half.
The scoring was as balanced as could be. Miller’s third triple at 14:43 gave him 11 points, joining three other ‘Cats tied for the team lead with 11.
The Saints put together a 7-0 run to close the gap to 56-42 with 12:19 to play, but a key triple from Basich halted the run.
NMU built up a 20-point lead again, with first career points from Ross Robertson and Brooks Hinson. Kuehl also added another three, and Allen put an exclamation mark on his debut with a putback dunk to lead 70-50.
The Wildcats continued to create separation late when Miller knocked down his fourth three for the largest lead of the game at 82-55. An ejection added six straight free throws for the Wildcats in the closing minutes, and Aidan Bellisle knocked down NMU’s 11th three to break 90 and pu the final touch on an impressive season-opening win.
Up Next
The Wildcats close out the opening weekend in Wisconsin Dells tomorrow (November 15) as they’ll take on Missouri-St. Louis, who defeated Michigan Tech on Friday. Opening tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
