MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan men's basketball team overcame a 14-point deficit to down Malone, 68-67, Saturday afternoon at the Berry Events Center.

Naba Echols drained two free throws with seven seconds left on the clock for the Wildcats, who move to 2-3 (1-1 GLIAC) with the victory. In the final six minutes, Terry Nash collected seven of his 14 points to help complete the comeback.

The Pioneers jumped out to early 7-2 lead. Isaiah Johnson woke up the Wildcats with his shot from beyond the arc to bring the score to 7-5 at the 15:43 mark. Malone then opened up a 28-17 lead on Northern Michigan with 5:49 remaining in the first half.

A Nash layup brought the Wildcats within nine with 1:16 remaining in the half, but they headed into the locker room trailing Malone, 37-26.

Coming out of the break, the Wildcats dug themselves into a 14-point hole, 42-28, at the 18:43 mark. Jordan Perez started the scoring for Northern Michigan, connecting for a three to bring the Wildcats back within nine at the 17:31 mark.

Northern Michigan then opened up a nine-point run to steal the lead away. The run was highlighted by a Perez jump shot from behind the arc to give the Wildcats a one-point edge with 12:57 remaining in the contest.

With 2:45 remaining in the contest, the game was deadlocked at 60-60. A Nash layup gave the Wildcats a three-point edge, at 64-61, with 1:50 remaining.  A Neil Gingerich layup stole the lead from the Wildcats, 67-66, with 14 seconds remaining, which Echols would regain.

Perez posted a game-high 17 points while Nash contributed 14. Perez and Donnell Cegers led Northern Michigan, which pulled down 39 rebounds as a team, with seven boards each.

Northern Michigan's bench added 24 points to the winning effort, highlighted by Kenny Williams's 10-point effort.

The Wildcats return to the court Dec. 10 when they take on Wayne State; tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.