DETROIT — The Northern Michigan men's basketball team fell to Wayne State, 58-52, Thursday night.

Both teams struggled to establish themselves in the first half. In the opening 9:16 of play, there were six different points in which the score was deadlocked. The Warriors were able to build a nine point lead, at 25-16, by the 4:32 mark.

The Wildcats showed resiliency as they began a ten-point run of their own to end the half. A highlight of that was Terry Nash being able to collect a rebound and pass it out to Marcus Hall on the perimeter for a three-pointer that cut the lead to one, 25-24, at the 1:16 mark. 

On the following possession, Nash found his way between the Warrior defenders and put one in off the glass to steal the lead, giving the 26-25 edge going into halftime.

The teams were tied at 29 heading into the final 17:18 of play. After a Wayne State jump shot, the Wildcats went on a seven-point run to steal the lead, at 36-31, by the 14:58 mark. The run was highlighted by a Donnell Cegers jump shot coming out of a media timeout.

At 7:58, the teams were tied at 45. Wayne State then went on a six-point run to gain a 51-45 advantage before a timeout on the floor. Coming out of the timeout, Naba Echols attempted a three point shot and was fouled. Echols ultimately hit all three of his free throws to cut the lead to three, 51-48, with 2:56 to play.

Wayne State responded by opening up a 56-48 edge by the 1:59 mark. A Hall jump shot followed by an Echols jump shot on the following possession brought the Wildcats within four, at 56-52, with one minute to play.

Nash posted at team-high 11 points. Jordan Perez added nine rebounds and seven points.

Northern Michigan moves to 2-4 (1-2 GLIAC) with the loss. The Wildcats will return to the floor Saturday when they travel to Findlay for a game at 3 p.m.