MARQUETTE, Mich. — Wayne State outlasted the Northern Michigan men's basketball team, 70-64, Saturday afternoon at the Berry Events Center.

With 3:46 remaining in regulation, Naba Echols made a layup, drew a foul and sank his free throw to pull the Wildcats within two, at 56-54.

But Marcus Moore hit a three-point shot to put the Warriors up by five with 2:24 on the clock, and Northern Michigan would not draw closer than three the rest of the way.

The Wildcats raced out to a 15-6 lead in the first half. During that hot stretch, Isaiah Johnson, Sam Taylor and Echols all drained shots from beyond the three-point arc.

By the 9:43 mark, the Warriors had pulled within three, at 20-17. Northern Michigan responded with a 10-2 run to build a 30-19 advantage with 5:09 remaining in the half. During that run, Johnson and Jordan Perez each posted five points.

The Wildcats ultimately went into the locker room ahead by 32-26.

With 16:50 remaining in regulation, Wayne State had taken a 36-34 advantage. A Johnson free throw pulled Northern Michigan within one, at 41-40, at the 13:30 mark.

The Warriors then strung together an 8-0 run from the 13:14 to the 11:17 marks to go up, 49-40. A Perez free throw snapped the Wildcats' scoring drought with 10:04 to play. Northern Michigan battled back but ultimately could not draw even again.

Echols led all players with 21 points. Johnson (18) and Perez (10) also scored in the double digits. Johnson led the Wildcats with six rebounds while Myles Howard had five blocks for the second-straight game.

Wayne State's Marcus Moore had a double double with 19 points and 17 rebounds.

Northern Michigan shot 40.4 percent from the floor, 32.1 from three and 81.8 from the charity stripe.

The Wildcats, now to 7-16 (5-13 GLIAC), hit the road to face Ferris State (Feb. 16, 8 p.m.) and Grand Valley State (Feb. 18, 3 p.m.).