Wildcats score season-high 86 points
MARQUETTE, Mich. – In just his sixth season, head coach Matt Majkzak secured his 100th career win at Northern Michigan as the Wildcats ran past the Davenport Panthers 86-57.
NMU’s offense was clicking, scoring 86 points, a new season-high. The Wildcats also shot over 50% for the fourth time this season, converting on 33-64 (51.6%) attempts. Northern was also perfect from the charity stripe, going 13-13.
Julien Smith led the way with 20 points while Derek Merwick notched 15, Jackson Dudek 13, and Dylan Kuehl 12. Merwick and Dudek combined to go 13-14 from the floor while Dudek fell one rebound shy of a double-double. Sam Privet led NMU on the glass with 10 rebounds. NMU controlled the glass overall, 40-24.
The game started off with some back and forth, but a 10-0 run from NMU put them ahead 22-16 with 7:40 to go in the first half. The Panthers pushed back to tie the game at 25’s, but the ‘Cats led 35-31 at the break.
NMU pulled away early in the second half when Dudek scored the first seven of a 9-0 run to lead 57-39 with 12:45 to play. After a DU basket, Merwick answered with a three and a lefty floater to push the lead over 20.
Another late run of 16-2 broke the game wide open and the Wildcats cruised to victory. The win pushes NMU to 14-6 overall and 8-4 in the GLIAC.
Up Next
NMU will hit the road to take on Saginaw Valley State on Thursday, February 6.
