MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan women's basketball team outlasted Hillsdale, 64-53, behind Bre Gaspervich's 17-point performance Saturday afternoon at the Berry Events Center.

Hillsdale started the scoring with a 5-0 run to open the game. Kendall Martenet ended the run with a drive to the hoop to make the score 5-2 with 7:51 to play. Both teams traded possessions and were tied at 10 with 4:16 to play. The Chargers led the Wildcats, 20-14, after one quarter of play.

Northern Michigan began the second quarter on a 10-0 run highlighted by Martenet finding Gaspervich for three to give the Wildcats a 24-20 advantage with 5:55 on the clock. Both teams traded baskets heading into the final minute of play when Taylor Hodell was able to collect an offensive rebound and put it back off the glass for the layup, tying the game at 30 with 11 seconds to play. The teams were knotted at 30 heading into the locker room.

Gaspervich found Darby Youngstrom down low for the layup to start the scoring in the second half and put the Wildcats ahead, 32-30. Both teams continued to battle, finding themselves deadlocked at 37 with 4:34 to play. Northern Michigan connected on five-straight free throws to create a 44-38 advantage with 2:46 on the clock. Gaspervich beat the buzzer with a layup to give the Wildcats a 48-43 advantage heading into the final quarter of play.

Northern Michigan grew its lead to seven, 52-45, following a Gaspervich layup with 7:36 remaining. The Wildcats then went on a 7-0 run to grow their lead to 59-51 after a Youngstrom free throw.  The Chargers cut the lead to six, 59-53, with 2:51 to play. Northern Michigan used great ball movement to set up a Tess Weatherly layup and put the game out of reach, at 61-53, with 50 seconds to play.

Gaspervich posted 17 points and a team-high nine rebounds to lead the Wildcats. Hodell contributed 11 points while Chloe Tompkins and Martenet each notched 10.

With the win, Northern Michigan moves to 7-11 (6-6 GLIAC) on the season. The Wildcats will travel to Lake Superior State Thursday with tip off set for 5:30 p.m.