HOUGHTON, Mich. — The Northern Michigan women's basketball team fell to Michigan Tech, 80-38, Thursday night at the SDC Wood Gym.

Both teams traded baskets during the opening possessions of the contest. The Wildcats took their first lead of the contest after Darby Youngstrom connected with Taylor Hodell in the paint for the layup, 6-4, with 7:31 to play in the opening quarter. The Huskies then closed the quarter growing their lead up to ten. Northern Michigan trailed the Huskies, 16-6, after one quarter.

The Wildcats continued to struggle with the swarming Michigan Tech defense as the Huskies grew their lead up 14, 21-7, with 8:37 on the clock. A Hodell layup and jump shot cut the lead down to 10, 21-11. Northern Michigan headed into halftime trialing the Huskies, 48-18.

Coming out of the intermission, Kendall Martenet collected a defensive rebound allowing Youngstrom to run the floor for the layup and cutting the deficit to 28, 48-20, with 8:30 to play in the quarter. Michigan Tech went on to grow their lead to 35, 56-21, by the 6:36 mark. Northern Michigan trailed after the third quarter, 66-28.

The Wildcats struggled to slow down the Michigan Tech offense in the final quarter. The Huskies grew their lead to 40, 68-28, after a Mackenzie Perttu layup with 9:18 remaining to put the game out of reach.

Hodell led the Wildcats with 13 points. Martenet collected a team-high five rebounds and netted nine points.

Despite the loss, Northern Michigan continues to the hold upper hand in the all-time series, 51-42. The Wildcats and Huskies will also split the season series with each team winning at home.

Northern Michigan will close the regular season with a 13-15 (12-10 GLIAC) record. The Wildcats will return to the floor Tuesday night in the GLIAC Tournament.