MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women's basketball team, down by five points at the half (38-33), came back to defeat The University of Findlay Oilers Saturday afternoon at the Berry Events Center.  NMU shot 50 percent (13-26) from the floor in the second half to out-score UF 41-27 and held the Oilers to 37.9 percent (11-29) to take the game 74-65.

 

The win snapped the 'Cats four-game skid as they improve to 8-11 overall and 3-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The Oilers fall to 8-10 and 2-7 respectively.

 

NMU opened up the game with an 8-0 run. Steffani Stoeger scored half of the points in the run. At 14:12 the 'Cats enjoyed a six-point lead on a Stoeger layup (12-6). After trading a couple of baskets, the 'Cats were up by six again at 10:44 on a jumper by Allison Carroll. UF tied the game at 26-all at 5:49 before NMU would go on a 5-1 run for the 31-27 lead. Erin Powers made a layup at 1:59 to give the 'Cats a four-point cushion (33-29). UF outscored NMU 9-0 the remainder of the half. 

 

UF built a nine-point lead about four minutes into the second half. NMU cut the lead to 45-43 on a three-pointer by Kelsey Deacon at 13:40. Deacon sank both of her free throws at 13:15 to tie the game at 45-all. UF took the lead (47-45) before Cassi Rushford hit a jumper to tie the game once again (47-all) at 12:33. Angie Leckson made a layup which was followed by a layup and a three-pointer by Deacon to give the 'Cats the 54-47 lead with a little over 10 minutes left in the game. UF had cut into the lead (61-58) before Deacon connected from long range again for the six-point lead (64-58) with a little over four minutes left in the game. NMU would take control from there to pull out the win.

 

Deacon led NMU with 22 points for the game. She was 4-9 from the arc. Stoeger chipped in with 14 points, four assists and eight steals. Carroll had 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Cate Cianchetti had a game-high 23 points for the Oilers. 

 

NMU ended the game by shooting 44.8 percent from the floor (26-58). The 'Cats were only 5-16 from the three-point line (31.3 percent). From the charity stripe the 'Cats were 17-24 (70.8 percent). UF out-rebounded the 'Cats 35-33.

 

The 'Cats are on the road for the next three games. First up is a mid-week clash in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. against Lake Superior State on Wednesday (Jan. 30).