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BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - Max Bjorklund closed out the regular season with a memorable performance for all who watched,  pouring in a career best 46 points to will the Wildcats to a 93-87 win on Saturday (Feb. 26) over the #25 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs. 

The Northern Michigan University Men's basketball team extended their winning streak to seven games and will now be home for the first round of the GLIAC playoffs on Wednesday, March 2 as they play host to Lake Superior State at 7 p.m.

Max Bjorklund also put himself atop the NMU record books with the best performance in one half in the history of the program. In the second half, Bjorklund scored 40 points on 14-15 shooting, 9-10 three-point shooting, and 3-3 from the line. 


STAT LEADERS

• Max Bjorklund shot 16-21 and 9-11 from deep for a career best 46 points. It was the highest scoring output in 40 years in the program. 
• It ranked tied for the sixth best scoring output in program history.  
• NMU scored a remarkable 63 points in the second half. 
• Justin Brookens added 17 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds. 
• John Kerr chipped in a double-double with a dozen points and a dozen boards. 

FIRST HALF
Max Bjorklund got the 'Cats going on Saturday, hitting a baseline jumper and then taking the ball coast-to-coast for a lay-in seconds later. It was Ferris State 5-4 early. 

Being smothered at the three-point line, Nick Wagner took to the floor to drive his defender right to the rim for two. 

Next trip down the floor, Ben Wolf fought for an offensive board and got the ball to Wagner, who knocked down a triple to give the Wildcats a 9-7 four minutes into the contest.

After freeing his guards on screens at the top of the key, John Kerr got the ball and sank a triple attempt to keep the game within one at 14-13. 

Justin Kuehl showcased his vertical, skying high for an offensive rebound and touching it off the window for his first points. It was 20-15 FSU with 12 minutes left in the half. 

Ferris continued to be stout on each end of the floor, forcing tough shot attempts for NMU and converting themselves on offense. It was 28-17 Bulldogs with 8:30 to play. 

Justin Brookens found Ben Wolf on a low post cut and he converted at the rim. NMU was keeping things close at 30-24 with six minutes left in the half.

With three minutes left on the clock, Justin Brookens created separation and nailed a top of the key triple. Ferris would answer with a three of their own and the deficit remained 11 for NMU. 

The top-ranked Bulldogs had Northern rattled, closing the half with a powerful showing on each end of the floor. FSU put together a 10-0 run before Brookens hit a rainbow three in the final second of the half. 

Ferris State held a 45-30 edge after 20 minutes of play. 


SECOND HALF
John Kerr rattled the net on the first possession of the second half to get NMU off on the right foot.

Justin Brookens threw up a lob and Ben Wolf soared high to grab the ball and flush it for a 6-0 start to the half, cutting it back to single digits at 45-36.

Max Bjorklund created separation and hit a big three to keep the pressure on the Bulldogs.

After cutting it to seven, FSU responded with five of their own to get it back to a dozen with 13 minutes left.

Max Bjorklund tripled on three straight trots down the floor to get it to 57-52 with 11:39 to play. 

He could not be contained, taking a heat check and hitting the heat check. Bjorklund was rapidly up to 23 points. NMU briefly led 58-57.

FSU responded, but Justin Brookens pulled out the Uno reverse card, nailing a triple of his own. The intensity and grit was showing as the second half continued. 

 A dribble penetration, blowing by the defender, followed by another three ball for Bjorklund. He was white hot, up to 28 points. Six of seven three-point attempts were successful.

As hot as Bjorklund and company were, Ferris was holding their ground. It was 72-66 FSU with 7:07 to play.

Ben Wolf found open space down low and rattled the rim for two. 

Bjorklund made it 7-8 from deep. A contested look did not matter as Max continued to keep NMU in the contest. 

Max would continue to make a push for performance of the season in DII basketball, knocking down two more threes. He was up to 37 points on 9-10 three-point shooting. NMU led 79-77 with 3:54 to go. 

Bjorklund reached 40 points with a do-it-all and-one. It remained a one possession game as the final minutes approached. 

NMU held on for a 93-87 win to close out the regular season. 


UP NEXT
The Wildcats will be home on Wednesday, March 2 as they will host a GLIAC Quarterfinals match from the Berry. The Wildcats will welcome Lake Superior State to town in the #3 vs. #6 matchup with a 7 p.m. tip-off. 

GLIAC Quarterfinal Matchups
No. 8 Davenport at No. 1 Ferris State
No. 7 Parkside at No. 2 Michigan Tech
No. 6 Lake Superior State at No. 3 Northern Michigan
No. 5 Grand Valley State at No. 4 Saginaw Valley State