This story was written by NMU Sports Information. Click the AUDIO button to hear RRN's Casey Ford interview NMU Coach Matt Majkrzak. (NMU Photo)
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Dylan Kuehl dominated with a 31-point, 11-rebound double-double to will the Northern Michigan Wildcats to a 77-74 comeback victory on the road at Lake Superior State on Thursday night.
Trailing by as many as 14 points, the Wildcats didn't take their first lead until just 2:53 remained. Northern erased a 10-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Lakers 50-37 in the second half, completing a hard-fought rally in a hostile environment.
NMU struggled to find its footing early, shooting just 8-27 (29.6%) in the first half and heading into the break down 37-27. The Wildcats flipped the script after halftime, finding offensive rhythm and shooting 19-33 (57.6%) over the final 20 minutes.
Kuehl was spectacular throughout, finishing with 31 points on 11-17 (64.7%) shooting to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds and four blocks. He scored 18 points in the second half, including a three-pointer with six minutes left that finally tied the game after the Lakers had repeatedly answered every Northern surge.
But it was on the defensive end where Kuehl delivered the defining moment. With the score tied 72-72 and 35 seconds remaining, Kuehl rotated over to reject a driving layup attempt. On the ensuing possession, Cal Klesmit buried a corner three with 21 seconds left, giving NMU a lead it would not relinquish.
Freshman Brooks Hinson sealed the comeback at the free-throw line, calmly knocking down two shots with 4.6 seconds remaining. A potential game-tying triple at the buzzer fell short, as the Wildcats completed the road rally.
Bennett Basich was the only other Wildcat in double figures, scoring 10 points, all in the second half. He opened the final 20 minutes with a three to spark NMU's comeback and added several key baskets down the stretch.
Northern once again controlled the glass, outrebounding the Lakers 41-29. With six more offensive rebounds, the Wildcats turned those extra possessions into an eight-point edge in second-chance scoring. Lake Superior State was led by Omar Suleiman with 19 points.
With the win, Northern improves to 15-2 overall and 6-1 in GLIAC play, keeping pace atop the conference standings with Michigan Tech, also 15-2 and 6-1. The Huskies edged Saginaw Valley State 80-78 on Thursday night — a team NMU will face on Saturday.
