Newcomer adds 17 points
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University’s women’s basketball team defeated Minnesota Crooksten 85-69 in its home opener and debut in the new Vandament Arena, improving to 3-0 on the young season.
The Wildcats held the lead throughout the entire game, holding as large as a 21-point lead in the second quarter. This was the sixth consecutive win for the Wildcats against the Golden Eagles in as many tries.
Jacy Weisbrod led the team offensively with 26 points, going 6-9 (66.7%) from three. Leading 26-15 after the first, Weisbrod drained three consecutive triples to open the second, holding a perfect 5-5 mark from beyond the arc at the time. Sarah Newcomer added 17 points going 6-10 (60.0%) from the field and 4-7 (57.1%) from three. Mackenzie Holzwart also found double figures with 11, while Alyssa Nimz had 10 rebounds in total, nine being defensive.
All ten Wildcats to see the court scored and grabbed a rebound. NMU also controlled the glass throughout the afternoon, 49-30.
Newcomer started the game off strong with a three-pointer at the top of the paint just seconds after the opening tip. Weisbrod followed in line, as she put down a triple as part of a quick 9-0 spurt to lead by double digits just four minutes into the game, 1202. With the ‘Cats coming out hot, they ended the first quarter 26-15, shooting a perfect 4-4 from downtown.
The Wildcats opened the second quarter with more magic from Weisbrod, hitting three straight threes to further the gap and make it 35-18 at 8:14 of the second. Alyssa Hill put up a two-pointer, making the score 43-22, the largest lead of the game.
Though the Golden Eagles were able to gain a little bit of momentum in the second quarter, Kayla Tierney received a pass from Mackenzie Holzwart, who dropped in yet another three, ending the second quarter at 49-34 Wildcats. It was NMU’s 10th three of the opening half, going 10-13 (76.9%) in the opening 20 minutes.
Minnesota Crookston earned the first points of the second half, hitting a triple at the top of the arc to make the score 49-37. The Wildcats started slow in the third, making just one of its first 11 shot attempts while committing four turnovers. The Golden Eagles went on an extended 16-4 run in the frame to close the gap all the way down to one possession at 53-50 with 3:32 left in the quarter.
Though the Eagles were able to earn some points and close the gap, Weisbrod and Newcomer added triples late to push the lead back to 61-52 after three.
Weisbrod started the fourth quarter with a jumper and Whitehouse closely followed, with a layup to once again lead by 10. An 8-0 run in the middle of the quarter from the ‘Cats put the game away, as Crookston wouldn’t get it back under 10 again.
Up Next
Northern will host its second home game of the season against Bemidji State tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, November 16) at 3 p.m.
