NMU Men's Basketball Drops Two Games At Home
Stories written by NMU Sports Information. Click the AUDIO buttons to listen to RRN Sports player spotlight interviews with NMU's John Kerr and Ben Wolf.
The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team lost to a pair of Minnesota schools at the Berry Events Center this weekend, falling to St. Cloud State on Saturday and Minnesota-Duluth on Sunday.
SUNDAY GAME RECAP
MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team played host to the University of Minnesota Duluth in a Sunday afternoon game, Nov. 28.
After a physical game between the two foes, NMU fell to 3-3 on the year, by a final score of 76-63.
Senior guard Max Bjorklund led the 'Cats with a total of 23 points, shooting 66-percent from the free throw line.
Sophomore Sam Schultz dominated the glass with a team-high six rebounds, and seven other Wildcats had at least three or more boards as well.
Junior Ben Wolf got NMU started defensively, controlling the glass early.
After UMD got off to a quick start, NMU answered back, knocking down shots from mid-range.
The Wildcats and the Bulldogs, grabbed a majority of their points off the charity stripe, 10 minutes through the first.
The two teams battled, as both teams continued to swap the lead as the first quarter reached the seven minute mark for a score of 19-16 in favor of NMU.
Bjorklund energized the NMU bench with a driving layup bringing the 'Cats lead to 25-18.
The Bulldogs had the ball in the final seconds of the half, knocking one down in the paint to knot the game up at 31-31.
Bjorklund led the 'Cats with eight points, shooting 50 percent from the line, and tallying three rebounds to boot.
Schultz had a team-high five rebounds, three on defense, and two on offense.
NMU shot 71.4 percent from the free throw line for a total of 10 points.
The Wildcats edged out the Bulldogs with 25 rebounds to their 18.
UMD came out on fire, knocking down three-point shots from all over to push the lead to 47-39 in favor of the Bulldogs.
The visiting team continued to carry their energy through the halfway point of the second half, leading 63-54 with just over eight minutes to play.
The Wildcats started to answer back after senior Tre Harvey drained a three-pointer, bringing the game within 10.
After a late push from the NMU offense, the Bulldogs came away with victory by a score of 76-63.
After Sunday's matchup, NMU men's basketball takes I-75 down to Midland, Mich. for a weekday matchup against Northwood University. Northern is set to open up GLIAC conference play against the Timberwolves on Thursday, Dec. 2nd.
SATURDAY GAME RECAP
MARQUETTE, MI. - The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team hosted the St. Cloud State University Huskies in a non-conference game for their first home game of the weekend.
The 'Cats fell short after an intense second half by a final score of 89-73.
The 'Cats got off to a slow start but a momentum building three-pointer from guard Nick Wagner gave the Wildcats the push they needed to chase a lead.
Midway through the first half, the 'Cats were down 27-16. The Wildcats fought hard to come back in the closing portion of the half, with Brian Parzych draining both of his free throw opportunities.
Although falling short in the first half 40-28, the Wildcats played well defensively. Parzych pulled down four rebounds helping the 'Cats close the gap against the Huskies.
As the Wildcats looked to rally back in the second half, center Ben Wolf and guard Tre Harvey put up eight points between the two of them in the opening five minutes bringing the score to 52-35.
Down 62-46 with 10 minutes remaining, Harvey drained a jumper, giving the Wildcat bench the extra push they needed to close in on the Huskies.
After previously trailing by 16 points, the 'Cats battled hard to close the gap to single digits, making the score 72-64 with 5:38 remaining in the game.
The 'Cats fell to the Huskies in a hard fought game 89-73.
Strong defensive play by the Wildcats led Sam Schultz to five rebounds and Parzych to four.
Senior players Max Bjorklund and Harvey led the Wildcats in points with 16 a piece.
