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MARQUETTE, Mich - The Wildcats hosted the SVSU Cardinals on senior night and commanded play from the tip-off on their way to an 88-62 victory, improving the 'Cats to a 14-11 record. 

Senior John Kerr entered exclusive territory tonight, surpassing 2,000 career collegiate points.


1st Half
Both the 'Cats seniors came out hot to start the game. Senior John Kerr opened the scoring for the 'Cats after working himself to the free-throw line and hitting a midrange jumper off a Ben Wolf assist. The following points came from fellow senior Nick Wagner, draining a three-pointer from deep.

The 'Cats jumped out to a quick 11-3 lead, with two more three-pointers coming from Max Bjorklund and Nick Wagner.

Carson Smith's first two shots of the game were back to back three-pointers assisted by Nick Wagner and Brian Parzych, extending the 'Cats lead to 13.

At the 10 minute mark of the first half, the Wildcats own a 26-10 lead, with Ben Wolf adding a jumper from the paint off a Brian Parzych dish.

Nick Wagner's hand remained hot on senior night, converting back to back three-pointers to give him 12 points and extend the 'Cats lead to 19.

Justin Brookens found the score sheet with just under 4 minutes to go converting a smooth mid-range jumper and giving the 'Cats a commanding 21 point lead.

A Justin-to-Justin connection capped off the scoring for the 'Cats in the first half, with Justin Kuehl filling the basket off a Justin Brookens assist.

The Wildcats go into the locker room with a 46-22 lead, shooting 46% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. The 'Cats out-rebounded the Cardinals 24-16, with four 'Cats each having four rebounds, and only committed five fouls to SVSU's nine.

Senior Nick Wagner leads the 'Cats in points at the half with 12, shooting 50% from the field and 57% from deep. Justin Smith and Carson Smith both tallied 8 points. Justin Brookens leads the team with 5 assists.


2nd Half
Max Bjorklund opened the second half scoring for the 'Cats, hitting both his shots at the line.

Nick Wagner makes a strong move to the basket for a layup, giving him 14 on the night and extending the 'Cats lead to 23.

Senior John Kerr's back-to-back field goals give him 14 points on the night and extend the home team's lead to 25.

Nick Wagner fakes a shot from the corner, makes a defender miss, and lays a sweet underhand dish to Ben Wolf who lays down an electrifying dunk that gets the bench on their feet. 

Back-to-back three-balls from Nick Wagner and Justin Brookens added to the 'Cats lead, making it 68-39 halfway through the 2nd.

John Kerr finds an offensive board and puts it back, giving him 16 points and a Wildcat lead of 30. With this basket, Kerr eclipsed the 2,000 career point mark over his collegiate career. 

Senior night magic continues with a senior-to-senior connection as John Kerr finds Nick Wagner in the corner for a triple, giving Wagner 22 points and the 'Cats an 81-50 lead.

A Tre Harvey bucket gives the 'Cats 88 points on the night, and the team cruised to an 88-62 victory on senior night.
 
The Wildcats shot 44.8% from the field and 37.5% from deep and hit 13 of 15 free throws. The 'Cats lead the game 97% of the time, and had the largest lead of 33 points.


Stat Leaders
Seniors John Kerr and Nick Wagner led the way on senior night. Along with surpassing 2,000 career points, Kerr had 18 points, shooting 8 of 9 from the field and hitting his lone three-point attempt to go along with 14 rebounds and 2 assists. Nick Wagner had 22 points, going 7 for 15 from the field and hitting 6 threes to go with his 5 rebounds and 2 assists. 

Justin Brookens had 8 points to go with 4 rebounds and 7 assists, and Max Bjorklund had 12 points to go with his 2 rebounds and assist. 


Up Next
The Wildcats have a pair of road games to end the regular season, firstly traveling to Lake Superior State on Thursday, February 24th with a 7:30 pm tip-off.