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Kuhn Reaches 1,000 Points As 'Cats Drop Finale
 NMU Sports Information story. Click the thumbnails to hear player spotlight interviews with Kayla Tierney and Vivianne Jende, and hear post-game comments from Coach Troy Mattson. BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's basketball team fought hard on the road in the regular season finale on Saturday, but fell to Ferris State 72-62. The Wildcats will head to Grand Valley State on Wednesday (March 2) to open up the opening round of the GLIAC postseason tournament. Makaylee Kuhn became the 27th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points in the effort.
Elena Alaix entered the game, and converted on a nice jumper to make the game 8-6 Bulldogs early. Alaix then converted on an and-one to give her a quick five points for Northern. The Ferris offense was clicking however, leading 13-9 halfway through the quarter. Madigan Johns continued momentum for the Wildcats, connecting on a corner triple to take the lead at 14-13. Ana Rhude maintained dominance in the paint, converting for the fourth time to give her eight points. NMU led 18-13. Elizabeth Lutz hit the second triple for NMU, continuing a hot offensive start for the Green and Gold. Makaylee Kuhn beat the buzzer with a jumper, giving Northern a 23-17 after one. Kayla Tierney swished home a triple from the top of the key to get the 'Cats rolling right away in the second quarter. NMU's offense cooled off, and the Bulldogs took advantage to get back in the game. Ferris State went on a 12-2 run over the middle minutes of the quarter to take a 31-28 lead. The Bulldogs outscored NMU 17-8 in the quarter to take a 34-31 lead into the locker rooms. Makaylee Kuhn reached 1,000 career points, connecting at the free-throw line. Kuhn joined 26 other Wildcats in program history to reach the exclusive milestone. The Bulldogs took a 60-46 lead into the fourth quarter, looking to claim a home playoff game. Elena Alaix continued her season-best performance, reaching 17 points and keeping the 'Cats within clawing distance. Kayla Tierney hit a corner three, leading to a timeout on the floor. The deficit was cut to single digits at 63-55 with 5:45 to go. Elena Alaix wouldn't cool off, hitting back-to-back jumpers yet again to reach 21 points. NMU trailed 65-58 with four minutes to go. Makaylee Kuhn found consecutive buckets, cutting the game to six points with 2:30 to go. The comeback effort fell short on Saturday, as the Bulldogs took the regular season finale by a 72-62 final score. The Wildcats will head to Grand Valley State on Wednesday in the #1 vs. #8 GLIAC Quarterfinals matchup. |
