NMU Men's Basketball Completes 3-0 Road Trip

This story was writen by NMU Sports Information. Click the thumbnails to hear post-game comments from Sam Privet, Dylan Kuehl, and Coach Matt Majkrzak. Also listen to Justin Kuehl's player spotlight interview.

SAGINAW, Mich. - After leading 46-26 at halftime, the NMU men's basketball team got a stop in the final second to hold on for a 71-68 victory at Saginaw Valley State. NMU improved to 13-3 overall and 5-1 in the GLIAC with the win.

Dylan Kuehl led NMU with a double-double, scoring 18 points and adding 10 rebounds along with three blocks. He had 15 in the first half. Sam Privet added 15 points. Max Weisbrod and Carson Smith also dipped into double figures. Weisbrod also dished out seven assists to pace the 'Cats. Freddie McIntosh led SVSU with 16 points.

Northern did not trail for the full 40 minutes. After a 60% shooting first half, the 'Cats cooled off to 25-60 (41.7%) for the game while SVSU was 25-70 (35.7%).

NMU started red hot, putting together a pair of 8-0 runs early in the contest to leap ahead 19-3. Dylan Kuehl hit two triples to open the scoring and crossed double figures just 6:29 into the contest.

The Wildcats continued to look good in the first half as Najashi Tolefree came off the bench providing a spark with a quick seven points. After leading 31-13, the Cardinals went on a 7-0 run, but the Wildcats took back control of the rest of the half including a nice stretch from Sam Privet scoring five straight to grab its largest lead, 46-26, at intermission. Kuehl had 15 first-half points while Sam Privet added 11.

The Cardinals turned the tables in the second half, opening on a 15-7 run. They were getting it done on both sides of the ball, putting the ball in the hoop on offense and getting stops on defense.

With 7:33 to go, the Cardinals connected on a three to close it to 62-55, the first time the differential was at single digits since 11-3.

Saginaw put together a 10-0 run, holding NMU scoreless for a stretch of 4:30. After a series of triples from each side, the Cardinals hot hand from downtown continued with under a minute to go, closing it to a single point at 69-68 with 47 ticks left.

With a one-point game in the closing seconds, the Cardinals had a chance to beat the buzzer for a win. Instead, Privet came up with a monumental steal and hit a pair of free throws to help NMU hold on for a 71-68 win.

NMU outscored SVSU 46-26 in the first half while the Cardinals edged the Wildcats 42-25 in the second half.
Dylan Kuehl had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds along with three blocks to lead the Wildcats. He had 15 in the first half.
Sam Privet added 15 points. Max Weisbrod and Carson Smith also dipped into double figures. Weisbrod also dished out seven assists to pace the 'Cats.
NMU shot 25-60 (41.7%) while SVSU was 25-70 (35.7%). Each side was productive from deep, with Northern connecting on 11 and Saginaw hitting 10.
Despite the late charge from the Cardinals, the Wildcats did not trail for the entirety of the contest.

The 'Cats return to action on Saturday, January 14th when rival Michigan Tech visits the Berry Events Center for a 3 p.m. matchup.