HILLSDALE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan men's basketball team dropped an 85-70 decision to Hillsdale Saturday afternoon at Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena.

Northern Michigan held an early 10-2 lead following a Naba Echols triple at the 16:18 mark. The game was deadlocked at 13 apiece with 13:40 to play in the half. Later in the half, Hillsdale opened up seven-point, 36-29, advantage. Following a pair of Terry Nash free throws, Alex Mustert cut the lead to three, at 36-33, with 1:32 to play in the half. The Wildcats trailed the Chargers, 39-35, at the intermission.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Mustert found Echols on the perimeter for a triple to bring the Wildcats within three, at 41-38, with 18:33 to play. The Chargers then cashed in on their next two possessions to build an eight-point, 46-38, edge. Mustert collected an offensive rebound and converted it into a layup, cutting the deficit to six, at 46-40, with 16:29 to play.

Hillsdale answered by growing its lead up to 19 with 11:49 remaining. Northern Michigan trimmed the lead down to 14, at 63-49, following a Marcus Hall three and Donnell Cegers jump shot. The Chargers then built their lead up to 21, at 74-53, with 6:33 to play. The Wildcats made a late push, cutting the Charger advantage down to 12, at 79-67, after an Echols layup with 2:42 to play.

Echols led the Wildcats with 20 points, shooting 66 percent from three. Cegers posted 17 points and pulled down four rebounds.

With the loss, Northern Michigan moves to 6-17 (4-15 GLIAC) on the season. The Wildcats will return to the Berry Events Center Feb. 18 to host Lake Superior State at 8 p.m.