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DOUBLE DUB: Wildcat Hoops Sweep Davenport
 The Northern Michigan University men's and women's basketball teams strengthened their playoff positions Saturday with GLIAC wins over Davenport. The women won, 54-43, and the men came out on top, 81-75. Click the AUDIO buttons to hear post-game interiews with Elena Alaix and Justen Brookens, and from Coaches Troy Mattson and Matt Majkrzak. Also click to hear player spotlight interviews with Carson Smith, Makayle Kuhn, and C.J. Romero. STORIES BELOW WRITTEN BY NMU SPORTS IMFORMATION WOMEN'S GAME RECAP The Northern Michigan University Women's basketball team picked up a big win on Saturday (Feb.12), defeating Davenport on the road, 54-43. Northern improved to 9-12 overall on the season. Three 'Cats reached double figures. Makaylee Kuhn led the way with 13 points, while Elena Alaix added 11 and Emily Mueller contributed 10 of her own. Mueller led in rebounds with eight while Kuhn made an impression on defense with four steals. The Wildcats out-rebounded Davenport 37-27 in the contest. NMU shot 19-45 (42.2%) for the game. Elena Alaix got it rolling in the final quarter, converting on a two-pointer to give nmu a 43-37 edge. Mueller got a hook shot to go, leading to NMU's largest advantage at 45-37 with five minutes left. With 3:25 to go, Davenport connected on a triple for their first points of the frame. NMU led 47-40. Alaix crossed double figures, grabbing an offensive rebound and getting a big basket to fall, ending a 5-0 Panthers run. The Wildcats held strong down the stretch, picking up a big road win, 54-43. The Wildcats will head to Saginaw Valley State for a Monday (Feb. 14) matchup with the Cardinals. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. MEN'S GAME RECAP The NMU men's basketball team held on for a 81-75 victory at Davenport on Saturday (Feb. 12). NMU put up 51 points in the first half behind 11 triples and held on for a 2-0 weekend on the road. NMU improved to 12-11 on the season with an 8-8 GLIAC record. Justin Brookens led the way on Saturday with 20 points. Brookens hit 6-12 attempts from beyond the three-point line. NMU made 11 three-point baskets in the first half on their way to putting up 51 points in the first 20 minutes. Max Bjorklund added 14 points while John Kerr contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Kuehl, Carson Smith, and Brian Parzych played well off the bench, adding 19 combine points to the Wildcat effort. Northern led by 20 at the break, 51-31. The Wildcats were 11-22 (50%) from downtown in the half. Justin Brookens had 15 points, while Bjorklund, Wagner, and Kerr all chipped in eight. Davenport came out with offensive pressure to start the second half, opening with an 8-3 run to pull within 15. Bjorklund reached ten points, banking home a two-pointer to get the lead back to 57-41. The Panthers continued to chip away at their deficit, getting it down to a dozen five minutes into the half. For the first time since early in the first half, Davenport cut it to single digits on a triple right before the second media timeout. NMU held onto a 59-50 lead with 11:50 to play. Davenport's Jairus Stevens threw down a one-handed slam to get the Panthers all the way back to within four at 59-55. Kuehl found Ben Wolf down low and he turned around and put it in to get NMU back up nine with seven minutes to go. Carson Smith connected on a big triple, following an offensive rebound off a missed free-throw to cap off a four point trip down the floor for NMU. The 'Cats led 68-57 with five minutes left. After five straight from DU, Brookens came up with another big three. Northern claimed a 73-64 edge with less than four minutes to go. John Kerr converted a pair of free throws as NMU led 77-67 with under three minutes left on the clock. NMU did what they needed to do down the stretch, hitting 12-16 free throws in the second half on their way to a 81-75 road win at Davenport. The Wildcats will wrap up their final home games of the regular season next week, hosting Wayne State on Thursday (Feb. 17) and Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Feb. 19). |
