Wildcats use big first half to defeat Ferris State
MARQUETTE, Mich. – An electrifying game against Ferris State led the Northern Michigan women’s basketball team to progress their winning streak to five games as they dominated the Bulldogs 75-48 on Senior Day.
NMU also broke their tie with the Bulldogs in league standings, now in solo control of second place.
Holding the lead for nearly the entirety of the game for the second time this weekend, the Wildcats had their way with the Bulldogs down low, controlling the glass 47-36 and points in the paint 34-20.
The ‘Cats shot well yet again, going 45.1% (27-59) from the field compared to the Bulldogs’ 26.2% (17-65). NMU went 8-25 from the three versus Ferris’ 4-28 (14.3%). Leading the effort for the Green and Gold was Alyssa Hill, as she paved the way with a season-high 19 points on 8-9 (88/9%) shooting to go along with nine rebounds. She was a staple in getting things going for the home squad, scoring 13 in the first quarter and 17 in the opening half on a perfect 7-7.
Alyssa Nimz and Sydney Whitehouse posed second best in points, each reaching double figures with 10, as nine Wildcats got on the scoresheet in today’s game. Three Bulldogs reached double figures, each with 10.
With an intense start to the game, Alyssa Hill and Alyssa Nimz made their mark in the first quarter, scoring the first 10 points for Northern. Keeping the ‘Cats on a tight leash, Ferris answered back almost every time. As both teams took turns with the lead, Sarah Newcomer hit a quick triple from the side to make it 13-12. Picking it up in the last two minutes, Northern’s defense kept FSU locked down. NMU stormed to the finish line of the first with a 13-0 run to lead 23-12 at the end of the quarter.
Leading by double digits, Hill continued to make her mark into the second and three consecutive triples came followed from Newcomer and CJ Romero, putting the crowd on their feet. Abi Fraaza hit one off the glass, and the Bulldogs fouled Sydney Whitehouse on an and-one to keep the Wildcats up.
In the final seconds of the first, NMU collected an offensive rebound and Romero was able to end the second quarter with a buzzer-beating floater, making the score 49-25 Wildcats. NMU shot 9-16 (56.3%) in the first and 10-18 (55.6%) for a hot 19-34 (55.9%) opening half. The ‘Cats also dominated 15-0 in points off turnovers and 26-12 scoring in the paint.
The Bulldogs started the third quarter off this time, ripping a triple from outside the arc. Northern went scoreless for three minutes, until Whitehouse hit a three-pointer from the side to edge the score to 52-30 ‘Cats. Continuing at the net, Whitehouse continued to put up points for the ‘Cats. Though Ferris hit three triples during the quarter, Newcomer fired a three-pointer of her own from outside the arc. As this was Northern’s lowest scoring quarter (14), they still managed to stay on top, leading 63-39.
Weisbrod opened the fourth with a long-range shot to continue to stretch the cushion (66-39). An aggressive quarter led to both teams committing multiple fouls in the first three minutes. Mackenzie Holzwart went two-for-two at the foul line, and Whitehouse found a layup under the net with a ball from Ava Bates. Addison Pytleski and Madison Schroeder both found baskets in the fourth, ending the game 75-48 ‘Cats.
The win boosts the ‘Cats into sole possession of second place, now at 18-6 overall and 12-4 in the conference. The Bulldogs fell to 17-8 and 11-5 in league play.
Up Next
The Wildcats head to Houghton on Thursday, February 20, to face rival Michigan Tech.
