NMU Basketball Drops Tight Game To Tech, 64-62

The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team lost a tight game to the Michigan Tech Huskies Monday night, 64-62, in Marquette.

Click the AUDIO buttons to hear interviews with Reece Castor, Max Bjorklund, and Connor McCance.

THIS STORY WAS WRITTEN BY MICHIGAN TECH ATHLETICS

MARQUETTE---Timely shooting and final minute guile helped Michigan Tech edge Northern Michigan 64-62 in men's basketball Monday night at Berry Events Center. The lead changed hands 12 times, but the Huskies prevailed to take a 2-0 regular season sweep over the Wildcats.

"Winning on the road is always a challenge, especially against your rival so it's a great win," said head coach Josh Buettner. "Some guys stepped up and made some big shots. We would have liked to make more free throws to salt it away late, but we got the win and I was proud of how our guys competed."

After trading baskets through most of the second half, the Huskies finally gained a six-point separation after Adam Hobson dropped in a 3-pointer with just under two minutes to play.

After a pair of 3-point misses by NMU, Tech made it to the free throw line but failed to put the game out of reach with 16 seconds left. Justin Brookens drove into the lane to cut the deficit back to two with 13 ticks left. Then Owen White caught a pass and was promptly fouled, sending him to line with five seconds remaining. White made both attempts but Max Bjorklund countered with an off-balance 3-pointer from well beyond the arc for Northern Michigan, bringing the score to 64-62.

The officials put 1.2 seconds on the clock and the Wildcats nearly pulled off an improbable comeback when Carson Smith intercepted Trent Bell's in-bound pass and lifted up a shot in front of the rim as time expired. Bell was there to deflect it.

The Huskies defeated Northern Michigan in similar fashion in Houghton on January 6 after a late comeback by the Wildcats fell one point short 77-76.

Four players made it to double-figures for Michigan Tech, including Hobson with 13 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block. Owen White also tallied 13 points and passed five assists. Carter Johnston and Eric Carl each totaled 12 points and Trent Bell finished with eight. Johnston led the team with seven rebounds.

The Huskies shot 42-percent overall (24-for-57), including 43.5-percent (10-for-23) from beyond the arc. Tech struggled at the charity stripe (6-13).

John Kerr and Max Bjorklund marked 11 points apiece for the Wildcats and Justin Brookens finished with nine. NMU shot 43.1-percent (25-58).

Michigan Tech (13-5, 9-3 GLIAC) continues the regular season Thursday night at Purdue Northwest. The Huskies have won three straight. Northern Michigan fell to 9-10, 5-7 GLIAC.

THIS STORY WAS WRITTEN BY NMU SPORTS INFORMATION

MARQUETTE---The Michigan Tech Huskies took the two hour trip to Marquette to take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats in a GLIAC matchup and the 105th all time meeting between the two rivals. Michigan Tech came out on top 64-62.

Sophomore Sam Schultz got the scoring started for the Wildcats with a layup after a great find from Junior Justin Brookens.

After a short run by the Huskies, graduate student John Kerr fought through contact for a layup, drawing a foul in the process. He would finish the three point play to cut the Huskies lead 8-5.

The following possession, sophomore Carson Smith converted a three point play himself that tied the game 8-8.

Justin Brookens came off a ball screen and found junior Ben Wolf cutting to the basket for an alley oop dunk giving the 'Cats the lead 13-12.

After trading baskets for much of the later part of the first half, John Kerr nailed a pair of free throws to cut the Huskies lead 23-21.

Justin Brookens ended the first half with a beautiful layup high off the glass to give the 'Cats a 27-25 lead going into the half.

Justin Brookens, John Kerr, and Carson Smith all lead the way in the first half with 7 points a piece. Kerr added 6 rebounds, and Brookens added 3 assists.

Nick Wagner got the scoring started in the second half for the 'Cats with a transition three, with an assist coming from Justin Brookens.

Nick Wagner then drove the lane and found Sam Schultz in front of the rim for a layup.

Max Bjorklund got his first points of the game with a tough floater over the defender making the score 38-36 Huskies.

Brian Parzych buried a three from the top of the key, putting the 'Cats on top 47-44.

The Wildcats and the Huskies were going back and forth, both teams nailing threes, and diving for loose balls. With 7:50 left in the second half the game was tied at 47.

After a short scoring spurt from the Huskies, Max Bjorklund made an incredible layup to cut the deficit to two 53-51. Justin Brookens got a steal the next possession and it later led to another Bjorklund layup tying the game at 53.

Max Bjorklund found Ben Wolf under the basket, Wolf took two dribbles and shot a hook shot over the defender and brought the 'Cats to within three, 58-55.

After a Huskies three pointer, Bjorklund came down the floor and hit a step back jumper to make the score 61-57.

The Huskies missed the front end of a one and one. Coach Matt Majkrzak called a timeout to draw something up. Justin Brookens took the ball coast to coast and layed it up for two making the score 61-59 Huskies.

Max Bjorklund hit a three with 1.2 seconds left to make the score 64-62. Carson Smith stole the inbound pass and threw up a desperation layup, but it got blocked at the buzzer, and the Huskies survived.

The Wildcats efforts came up short in a 64-62 loss to Michigan Tech. The 'Cats almost pulled off the impossible to send the game to overtime.

John Kerr led the way for the Wildcats with a double double recording 11 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes. Kerr also went 5-5 from the free throw line. Max Bjorklund added 11 points of his own in 32 minutes.

Carson Smith had 9 points and 4 rebounds.

Sam Schultz has 8 points and 6 rebounds.

The Wildcats shot a perfect 100% (11-11) from the free throw line in the game.

The Wildcats next game will be on the road against Parkside Thursday, Feb 3, 2022. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m ET.