MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan men's basketball team fell to Ferris State, 70-61, Saturday afternoon at the Berry Events Center.

Both teams battled in a first half that saw eight different points in which the teams were deadlocked. The Wildcats took an early 10-9 edge after Terry Nash found Alex Mustert in the paint as the shot clock expired with 14:17 on the clock. Northern Michigan then capitalized on a Bulldog turnover with a Marcus Hall triple growing the lead to 13-9.

Later in the half, Ferris State was able to string together possessions creating a 30-21 advantage with 2:08 to play in the half. The Wildcats responded with an 8-2 run to close the half highlighted by three pointers from Hall and Jordan Perez. Northern Michigan trailed at the break, 32-29.

Coming out of the locker room, the Wildcats tied the contest up at 34 after a Donnell Cegers layup and free throw. The Bulldogs responded by building a 10-point advantage by the 12:16 mark, 48-38.

Following a missed Perez jump shot, Mustert was able to pull down the offensive rebound and find Nash for the layup, cutting the Ferris State lead to seven, at 49-42, with 11:12 remaining. Ferris State then went on to build a 13-point lead, at 55-42, after a Noah King jump shot with 8:45 to play.

Northern Michigan battled back with a 12-4 run highlighted by a Hall jump shot that cut the deficit to five, 59-54, with 3:26 on the clock. On the following possession, a James Chappell tip in put the Bulldogs ahead seven, 61-54.

After a Hall free throw, the defense came up big to keep the Wildcats in the game when Cegers was able to create a steal and run the floor for a two-handed dunk, cutting the Bulldog lead to four, at 61-57, with 2:15 remaining.

Cegers posted a team-best in both points (15) and rebounds (7). Perez added 14 points while Hall netted 13.

With the loss, Northern Michigan falls to 6-15 (4-13 GLIAC) on the season. The Wildcats will travel to Saginaw Valley State Feb. 11 with tip off set for 8 p.m.