BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The Northern Michigan women's basketball team used a big first half to take down Ferris State, 67-53, Thursday night at Jim Wink Arena.

The Wildcats outscored the Bulldogs by a 42-19 margin in the first half en route to their 17th victory of the season.

In the first quarter, an Emilee Kott three-point shot drew Ferris State within three, at 13-10, with 1:35 left to play. Northern Michigan responded with an 8-0 run, highlighted by a Darby Youngstrom layup that beat the buzzer, to build a 21-10 advantage.

The Wildcats then scored the first seven points of the second quarter to take a 28-10 edge by the 7:43 mark. They limited the Bulldogs to just nine points in that stanza, and scored 21 of their own, to build their sizable halftime lead.

During the second half, Ferris State began to chip away at Northern Michigan's advantage. The Bulldogs outscored the Wildcats by 14-9 and 20-16 margins in the third and final frames, but they would never draw even again.

Four Wildcats scored in the double digits: Jessica Schultz (16), Youngstrom (15), Erin Honkala (12) and Taylor Hodell (10). Sydney Dillinger dished out a career-high six assists while Honkala hauled in a team-best seven rebounds.

Bre Gaspervich finished the night with six points, meaning she will enter Saturday's game at Grand Valley State just one three-point shot away from 1,000.

Northern Michigan shot 51.0 percent from the floor, 14.3 from three and 70.0 from the charity stripe. The Wildcats outscored the Bulldogs in the paint, 46-14, and held a 27-14 edge in points off of turnovers.

Northern Michigan, now 17-9 (12-7 GLIAC), next takes on the Lakers in Allendale, Mich. on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on WatchESPN and the ESPN App.