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SEASON OVER: NMU Women Fall To No. 1 Lakers
 This story was writen by NMU Sports Information ALLENDALE, Mich. - A memorable season for the Northern Michigan women's basketball team came to a close on Saturday night as the Wildcats took on Grand Valley State for the fourth time this season. This time, it was in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, and NMU fell, 72-44, ending the season with a 22-10 record. The Lakers did what they did best, controlling the paint by putting up 48 points down low to just 20 from Northern. The 'Cats also couldn't quite find a rhythm offensively, shooting 17-53 (32.1%) while the Lakers made 11 more shots in as many attempts for a 52.8% shooting performance. It was the fourth worst shooting game of the season for NMU, and the second lowest point output. GVSU's post combo of Nicole Kamin (20 points) and Rylie Bisballe (19 points) combined for 39 points to lead all scorers. Kamin is an Escanaba High School graduate. She also had four rebounds and three blocked shots to go along with her 20 points. The only lead the Wildcats held was 7-6 in the first. The Lakers scored eight of the final ten in the opening quarter for a 14-9 lead. Another five to start the second pushed the gap to ten. The Lakers stretched its lead to as many as 17 in the second, but the 'Cats continued to chip away to make it a 33-22 halftime score. The third quarter was the best for NMU on the night as they put up 17 points, but the Lakers managed 19 themselves to lead by 13 heading to the third. GVSU blew the game open in the fourth, scoring the first 12 and not letting Northern score until the 3:45 mark. The widest gap of the night was 28 at the final horn. Makaylee Kuhn closed her storybook career for Northern with 12 points, getting her over the 2,000 career points milestone. Senior Ana Rhude also went out by leading the team on the glass with eight boards. The Lakers will play GLIAC foe Ferris State on Monday in the Midwest Regional Championship for a spot in the Elite 8. |
