Kamin, Bisballe combine for 40 points for GVSU
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Trailing by 20 points early in the fourth quarter, No. 12 Northern Michigan mounted a furious late rally, using a 16-2 run to pull within six points with two minutes remaining, but No. 1 Grand Valley State converted when it mattered most down the stretch to secure a 78-66 victory on Saturday at Vandament Arena.
In front of a near-capacity crowd, the Wildcats finally found momentum after struggling to generate sustained offense for much of the night. Northern’s run was its first stretch of more than five unanswered points in the game, trimming a 65-45 deficit to 67-61 and putting real pressure on the nation’s top-ranked team. The Lakers, however, broke the press and delivered at the free-throw line to halt the comeback and close out the win.
Addison Pytleski delivered a career night for the Wildcats, scoring a career-high 18 points while sinking both triples. She poured in nine of her points in the fourth quarter, including an and-one and a key three during the late surge. Pytleski also co-led Northern with six rebounds alongside Jordyn Schmittdiel, who finished with 11 points. Sarah Newcomer added 11 points of her own to give NMU three players in double figures.
Grand Valley was paced by Upper Peninsula native Nicole Kamin, who co-led the Lakers with 20 points on an efficient 6-10 shooting performance, including a perfect 3-3 from deep. Mackenzie Bisballe matched her with 20 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Paige VanStee anchored the glass with 11 rebounds as the Lakers held a 45-33 rebounding advantage.
The difference came in key possession categories. Despite similar numbers in offensive rebounds and turnovers, Grand Valley capitalized more consistently, holding a 20-9 edge in second-chance points and a 16-9 advantage in points off turnovers. The Lakers also built separation by shooting above 50% in each of the first three quarters, including a decisive third period that saw them outscore NMU 19-11.
Northern drops its first conference game of the season and moves to 12-2 overall and 3-1 in GLIAC play. Grand Valley State remains unbeaten at 12-0 and 4-0 in the league.
How it Happened
Northern opened the game by attacking, as Addison Pytleski finished an aggressive take for the Wildcats’ first basket. Grand Valley answered with seven straight points, but NMU stayed committed to the paint, trimming the margin to one at 9-8. The Lakers followed with another 6-0 spurt to create early separation before Pytleski knocked down a triple for the game’s first basket outside the paint, making it 15-13.
Sydney Whitehouse added a three of her own to keep the Wildcats within striking distance as the opening quarter unfolded at a hectic pace. Grand Valley carried a slim 21-18 edge into the first break after a high-intensity opening 10 minutes between two of the nation’s top teams. Both sides shot an identical 8-15 (53.3%) in the quarter.
Northern opened the second quarter with momentum, as Sarah Newcomer drilled a three to knot the score at 21-21. Pytleski continued her strong start, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds early as the teams traded baskets and were tied three times in the opening minutes.
The Lakers eventually created breathing room with a 7-0 run, pushing ahead 32-25. NMU went more than three minutes without a basket during the stretch, despite generating quality looks at the rim. Grand Valley closed the half with 14 of the final 18 points to take its largest lead of the game at the time, 39-29, into the locker room.
Shooting efficiency swung sharply in the second quarter, as Grand Valley went 7-12 while Northern struggled at 4-19. Second-chance opportunities also favored the Lakers, who converted five offensive rebounds into nine points. NMU grabbed eight offensive boards of its own but managed just four second-chance points. Jacy Weisbrod was held scoreless in the half.
Grand Valley came out of the break with another burst, opening the third quarter on a 7-2 run to extend its advantage. Weisbrod got on the board with a jumper, and Jordyn Schmittdiel connected from the corner to cut the deficit to 48-36 at the media timeout.
The Lakers continued to build separation behind strong perimeter shooting and interior finishes. Upper Peninsula native Nicole Kamin scored 10 points in the quarter, helping Grand Valley outscore Northern 19-11 in the period and stretch the margin to 58-40 heading into the fourth. Grand Valley again shot at least 50% (7-14), while NMU went 4-16.
Grand Valley pushed its lead to 20 early in the fourth, making it 62-42, as foul trouble mounted for the Wildcats, who were whistled for six fouls in just over three minutes. Northern responded with its best stretch of the night, sparked by Pytleski’s and-one and a Newcomer three.
The Wildcats erupted on a 13-0 run, their first run longer than five points in the game, to pull within single digits at 65-58 with 2:50 remaining. Pytleski followed with another three to make it 67-61 with two minutes left, but Grand Valley’s Avery Zeinstra answered with a pivotal triple to halt the momentum.
The Lakers converted at the free-throw line down the stretch to close out a 78-66 victory, holding off Northern’s late push.
Up Next
The Wildcats will travel to Houghton on Thursday, January 8, to take on rival Michigan Tech at 5:30 p.m.
