Tech Women Beat Northern For 12th Straight Time

This story was written by NMU Sports Information. Click the AUDIO buttons to hear post-game comments from Coach Casey Thousand. Also listen to player spotlight interviews with Elena Alaix, Taya Stevenson, and Reide Osterman.

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU women's basketball team (10-6, 5-2) came up short against the No. 21 Michigan Tech Huskies (14-3, 6-1) on Saturday at the Berry Events Center, falling 69-56.

Makaylee Kuhn led all scorers with 24 points on 10-17 shooting. The 'Cats never led in the contest and trailed by as many as 15. Despite getting the deficit to six points in the fourth quarter, NMU could not stop the Huskies when needed.

Mackenzie Holzwart also had an efficient offensive display with 16 points. The Huskies had four in double figures led by Ellie Mackay with 19 points.

NMU went 21-55 (38.2%) from the floor while MTU was 26-54 (48.1%).

The Huskies started on a 7-0 run. The 'Cats were cold from the floor early, missing nine straight shots after the opening tip. The first Northern points came at the FT line and the first field goal came on an Andrea Perez putback with less than three minutes left in the opening quarter. NMU trailed 16-7 after 10 minutes, shooting just 2-14.

Michigan Tech built a double-digit lead early in the second quarter and despite a wake-up call from the offense, the Huskies continued to maintain a lead heading into halftime, up 30-18.

After just four first-half points, Makaylee Kuhn dominated the third quarter, scoring 11 of NMU's 17 to help the Wildcats keep it close, 46-35, heading to the final frame.

The Green and Gold continued to claw back in the contest in the fourth. A Holzwart triple brought it all the way down to six points just a few minutes into the final quarter.

Sara Dax made sure the Wildcats would not get all the way back, as she knocked down a triple followed by a baseline jumper to stretch the margin right back to 11 points.

Despite shooting 9-16 for 22 points in the final quarter, the Wildcats could not get stops when needed, as the Huskies went 7-10 from the floor and scored 23 fourth-quarter points to win 69-56.

Makaylee Kuhn paced all scorers with 24 points on 10-17 shooting. She added eight rebounds and five assists. Mackenzie Holzwart chipped in 16 points.

The Huskies had four in double figures led by Ellie Mackay with 19 points.

NMU went 21-55 (38.2%) from the floor while MTU was 26-54 (48.1%).

NMU will remain home next week with Grand Valley State and Davenport coming to town. The Lakers and Wildcats will tip off on Thursday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m.

This story was written by Michigan Tech Athletics

MARQUETTE, Mich. – Ellie Mackay posted 19 points and Sara Dax marked her first double-double of the season as Michigan Tech marched to its 12th straight victory over Northern Michigan 69-56 Saturday afternoon at Berry Events Center.

Isabella Lenz also played important minutes and finished with 14 points and five assists. Michigan Tech improved to 14-3 overall, and 6-1 in GLIAC play. Makaylee Kuhn scored 24 points with eight rebounds and five assists for Northern Michigan.

"We competed hard from start to finish and defended well," said head coach Sam Clayton. "I thought we overcame a lot and everyone stepped up and created for us. It was important for us to get different people posting up because that gave us more looks at the basket and chances to pick up fouls as well."

Tech began on a 7-0 scoring run and Mackay ignited the offense with a deep three. The Huskies limited NMU to 18 first half points and Kuhn to four for a 30-18 edge at the break. Kuhn helped the Wildcats cut the margin in the third quarter and Mackenzie Holzwart's layup made it a two-possession game with under six minutes to play in the fourth.

Sara Dax stomped out the threat with a 3-point basket with 5:10 remaining and the Huskies made free throws down the stretch. Dax closed with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"After Northern got back to within six, the play that really stood out was Sara's three," Clayton said. "We ran a baseline out of bounds and she got an open look. She didn't hesitate and knocked it down. It was just a huge sho and I felt the momentum shift at that point. Bella did a nice job getting to the rim late and then made free throws as well. I felt Ellie was just good from start to finish today."

Michigan Tech shot 48-percent (26-54) overall, including 33-percent (5-15) from beyond the arc. Tech also grabbed nine offensive rebounds for a total of 38, compared to 28 for NMU. Mackay went 6-for-13 from the floor and Lenz was an efficient 5-for-10. The two combined for 10 of 10 free throws and the Huskies shot 92-percent at the line.

Holzwart finished with 16 points but the Wildcats received eight points from the bench. NMU shot 38-percent (21-55) overall and 22-percent (4-18) from long range.

Michigan Tech (14-3, 6-1) concluded a five-game road trip and heads home to host Davenport on Thursday, January 19 at 5:30 p.m. Northern Michigan (10-6, 5-2) plays at home Thursday against No. 4 Grand Valley State.