NMU Women Surprise Duluth To Close Road Trip
This story was written by NMU Sports Information
DULUTH, Minn.- The Northern Michigan University women's basketball stayed in Minnesota Saturday, as they faced a non-conference opponent in the University of Minnesota Duluth.
A strong performance from sophomore guard Makaylee Kuhn pushed NMU to victory by a score of 68-57.
Sophomore guard Andrea Perez drained a three from the corner in the opening minutes of the first to energize the NMU offense.
Kuhn dropped a floater in the final seconds of the first to push the 'Cats to a 17-14 lead.
Kuhn shot 60 percent from the field, and 50 percent from the strip.
The Wildcats kept the momentum, controlling the glass on both sides of the court for a total of 13 to UMD's 6.
Freshman forward Vivianne Jende finished off the half with a mid-range jumper off a pass from Kuhn.
Kuhn powered the 'Cats with a total of 12 points, two boards, two steals, and one block.
Jende led the team in rebounds for a total of four, through nine minutes of play.
NMU controlled the glass with a total of 19 rebounds to UMD's 14.
Northern held the lead for a total of 12:48 minutes, to close out the half 31-27 in favor of the Wildcats.
UMD came out strong to start the third quarter, tying the game up from the free throw line at 33 a peice.
The Wildcats answered back, shooting 60 percent from the field.
The Bulldogs continued to fight their way into the game, shooting 100 percent from the charity stripe.
NMU edged out UMD by a score of 52-49 going into the fourth quarter.
Freshman Kayla Tierney continued to be lights out from behind the arch, shooting 50 percent from the three-point line for a total of nine points with just under four minutes to go.
Junior forward Emily Mueller stood tall in the paint defensively, protecting the rim at all costs.
NMU continued their strong defensive efforts to win by a score of
Kuhn led the team with a total of 28 points, while adding a team high three steals.
Tierney was second on the team in scoring with a total of 11 points, Tierney shot 50 percent from behind the three point line.
Freshman Ana Rhude had a team high three blocks, in a strong defensive effort.
Northern continues their road trip next week, Thursday Dec. 2nd, against Northwood University as they are set to start out GLIAC conference play.
NMU and NU have a long history of matchups, dating back to 1981-82, where the 'Cats defeated the Timberwolves 60-55. In the most recent matchup NMU held off NU by a narrow lead of 55-53.
