MARQUETTE, Mich. — Naba Echols posted 20 points, but the Northern Michigan men's basketball team dropped its home opener to Walsh, 80-60, Thursday evening at the Berry Events Center.

Both teams opened the game wanting to run the floor, and the Cavaliers jumped out on early 7-0 lead. The Wildcats responded with a 10-point run of their own highlighted by a Echols layup at the 13:57 mark. Off of a Kenny Williams defensive rebound, Jordan Perez cashed in with a layup to give the Wildcats a 14-11 edge at the 12:21 mark.

Walsh responded by building an eight point lead, 22-14, at 9:29. Donnell Cegers connected from downtown to bring the Wildcats within five at the 9:08 mark. An Alex Mustert layup narrowed the Walsh lead to three, 22-19, with 7:44 to play in the first half, but Northern Michigan trailed Walsh at the half, 31-27.

The Cavaliers extended their halftime lead to 36-27 at the 18:53 mark. The Wildcats struggled to stop the Cavalier offense throughout the second half. Cegers knocked down a jump shot to cut the Walsh lead to 52-41 at the 11:59 mark.

Northern Michigan continued to cut into the lead, and another Cegers layup got the Wildcats within nine at 54-45 with 9:04 remaining. The Wildcats would not be able to close the gap any further.

Cegers posted a team-high eight rebounds and added another 14 points. The Wildcat bench contributed 18 points in the effort.

Northern Michigan moves to 1-3 (0-1 GLIAC) and will return to the court Saturday to take on Malone at 3 p.m.