BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The Northern Michigan men's basketball team dropped a 96-79 decision to Ferris State Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats found themselves down 17-4 with 13:26 to play in the half. Northern Michigan showed resiliency, cutting the Bulldog lead to eight, at 25-17, by the 9:27 mark. Later in the half, Terry Nash was able to collect an offensive rebound and put it back off the glass for the layup, bringing the Wildcats within six at 25-19.

Ferris State responded by slowly growing its lead back to 14 by the 4:10 mark. The Wildcats then began a 10-3 run during which they scored six of the points from the free throw line. Northern Michigan headed to the locker room down seven, 43-36.

Jordan Perez got the Wildcat offense started in the second half, connecting for three to cut the Bulldog lead to six, 45-39, with 18:27 to play. The Bulldogs answered by growing their lead up to 16 with 15:04 to play. Nash responded by driving the lane and getting a layup to make the score 63-49 with 12:43 on the clock

The Bulldogs continued to surge, widening their lead to 18 with 12:16 to play. Naba Echols was able to pick the pocket of Jibreel Jackson and then find Marcus Hall for a jump shot to stay within 13 at 69-56. Donnell Cegers cashed in twice from the free throw line to cut the deficit to 11 with 5:32 to play, but Ferris State closed out the Wildcats the rest of the way.

Hall posted 19 points while Perez contributed 14.

With the loss, Northern Michigan moves to 4-10 (2-8 GLIAC) on the season. The Wildcats return to the Berry Events Center Jan. 21 to take on Saginaw Valley State at 8 p.m. Fans can get their free tickets at Stucko's leading up to the game as part of Northern Michigan's new game day host program.