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Wildcat Women Lose Make-Up Game In Indiana
 This story was written by NMU Sports Information. Click the AUDIO buttons to listen to player spotlight interviews with Taya Stevenson and Anna Rhude, and post-game comments from NMU Coach Troy Mattson. HAMMOND, Ind.- The Northern Michigan University women's basketball traveled south to the Hoosier state for a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup against Purdue Northwest University Monday afternoon. A late push led by Makaylee Kuhn (26 points) was not enough, as Northern fell, 59-56. Northern shot just 10 of 21 from the free throw line. Freshman Taya Stevenson got the ball rolling early for the Wildcats, as she knocked down a three from behind the arch to take the early lead. Northern found a way to control the paint, out rebounding the competition 9-6. NMU and PNW fought back and forth, looking to gain an advantage. The Pride took the first quarter by a score of 15-10. Sophomore Makaylee Kuhn, came out on fire, pulling the trigger on a shot from downtown to pull the Pride's lead to within two. Coming off the bench was sophomore Andrea Perez, knocking down an easy layup in the paint off a dish from Kuhn. Northern continued to pressure the Pride, as both teams battled for the lead, sharing the lead a total of 10 times throughout the second quarter. NMU held PNW to only 38.5-percent from the field, as both teams went into the half tied at 25 a piece. Senior Elizabeth Lutz opened up the third quarter of play with a three point shot off a pass from Junior Emily Mueller, giving NMU the lead. The Wildcats found themselves struggling as the third quarter moved on, shooting only 40-percent from the field. PNW took the third quarter by a slim margin of 45-40. Makaylee Kuhn found her stride to begin the fourth, knocking down shot after shot to keep the Wildcats within reach. Ana Rhude pulled up for a jumper, putting Northern to within two, as the Pride led 51-49 with just under four minutes to play. The Pride found a burst of energy, giving themselves a five point lead until Kuhn found herself wide open for a three, making the game 55-53 in favor of PNW. With just under a minute to go, the Pride led 56-53, head coach Troy Mattson called a thirty second timeout to draw something up. Kuhn found herself at the top of the arch, putting down a heavily contested three, as the 'Cats came within three. After a strong push in the dying seconds, Northern fell by a score of 59-56. Kuhn left the matchup with a total of 26 points, and grabbed a team high in rebounds with eight. The Wildcats out rebounded the Pride by a total of 37-33, with 10 'Cats grabbing at least one. Andrea Perez was a defensive presence, pick-pocketing the Pride a total of two times, for a team high in steals. Davenport University comes to town Thursday, as Northern returns home for a four game homestand to finish out the month of January. |
