MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University women's basketball team earned its first win of the season on Tuesday (Nov. 20). The Wildcats dominated non-conference Finlandia University, 78-21 from the Berry Events Center.

NMU (1-1) led the game from start to finish, going up by as many as 31 points in the first half, closing out the first 20 minutes with the 38-7 lead. Sophomore guard Lauren Gruber and freshman guard Anna Liewen each accounted for six points in the first half.

The 'Cats started off the second half on a made three-point shot by sophomore center Courtney Lemon. The Lions couldn't come within less than 34 points of catching the 'Cats for the remainder of the game. NMU's greatest lead was by 57, to close out the game.

NMU had 13 players score, led by Gruber who added four points in the second half, for a game-high 10 as she shot 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Sarah Miller and freshman forward Alyson Matkovich each tallied nine points.

Freshman forward Nea Makela led the 'Cats with seven rebounds, six on defensive glass, while sophomore forward Abbey DeBruin added six boards. Northern shot 28-of-67 for 41 percent and were 14-of-20 from the free throw line.

The Lions (1-3) were led by Marissa Burke and Paige Yoho who each had five points on the night. Burke, Hailey Gervias and Cole each had four rebounds. Finlandia finished the night with 26 turnovers, to NMU's 16. The Lions shot 7-of-48 for 14 percent and were 6-of-10 from the free throw line.

Northern travels to Ashland, Ohio to participate in the Ashland Holiday Inn Classic over the weekend (Nov. 24-25). NMU faces Mercyhurst on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Urbana on Sunday at 2 p.m.

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