Story, photo courtesy of NMU Sports Information. Click the AUDIO button to hear Casey Ford's interview with Coach Matt Majkrzak
MARQUETTE, Mich. – On a night when frigid temperatures covered the Upper Peninsula, the No. 13 Northern Michigan men's basketball team heated up when it mattered most, closing the game on a 13-4 run over the final 3:30 to defeat Purdue Northwest 82-75 on Thursday night at Vandament Arena.
Dylan Kuehl was sensational, fueling the Wildcats' comeback after NMU trailed by as many as nine points in the first half and entered the break down 41-37. He finished with a game-high 28 points, scoring 17 in the second half while shooting 10-15 from the field and 7-8 at the free-throw line. Kuehl also anchored the defense with a game-high three blocks, including a highlight-reel denial on a dunk attempt in the opening half.
Northern had three additional players reach double figures. Cal Klesmit followed with 18 points and came up big in the closing moments. With two minutes to play, he had a key steal that led to a fastbreak and-one to give NMU the lead for good. He later sealed the win at the line, going 2-2 in the final second. Klesmit also dished out a game-high five assists.
Jackson Dudek recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, highlighted by a thunderous driving dunk, while Sam Privet chipped in 11 points. Bennett Basich made his impact on the glass, pulling down 11 rebounds, several of which came in crucial late-game possessions.
Purdue Northwest placed five players in double figures and was led by Kyle Ross, who had his way in the paint with a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Northern finished the night shooting 30-63 (47.6%) from the field, while the Pride shot 30-58 (51.7%). NMU won the rebounding battle 35-31 overall, including a decisive 22-12 edge in the second half after being outrebounded 19-13 before halftime.
With the win, the Wildcats improve to 17-2 overall and 8-1 in GLIAC play, remaining neck-and-neck with Michigan Tech, which edged Wayne State 75-74 on Thursday night.
