MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU women's basketball team is on the road this weekend for a couple of GLIAC matchups in Sault Sainte Marie and Big Rapids, taking on the Lake Superior State Lakers and the Ferris State Bulldogs.

The Wildcats (11-7, 6-3) are currently fourth in the GLIAC with a .667 win percentage and are 6-2 on the road. The Lakers (5-12, 2-7) sit eighth with a .222 win percentage and a 5-2 record at home. The Bulldogs (11-7, 4-5) are sixth in the conference with a .444 win percentage and come into the weekend on a three-game losing streak. 


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Thursday, January 26 - at Lake State at 5:30 p.m.
Watch  |  Audio  |  Live Stats  |  Game Notes

Saturday, January 28 - at Ferris State at 1 p.m.
Watch  |  Audio  |  Live Stats


Last Time Out
The 'Cats hosted the No. 3 team in the country in the Grand Valley State Lakers and the Davenport Panthers. The 'Cats saw a split over their two games.

Going up against the formidable Lakers squad, NMU fought hard, but would eventually fall short by a score of 45-38. NMU held the GVSU to a season-low 45 points, with their previous low being 62 (January 7, 2023, vs Purdue Northwest). NMU shot 14-52 (26.9%) from the floor and 3-15 (20%) from deep, while GVSU went 16-52 (30.8%) from the field and 3-16 (18.8%) from beyond the arc. 

The Wildcats got back into the win column with a 57-46 triumph of Davenport on Saturday. The offenses struggled to shoot in this one, with both NMU and DU shooting 19-52 (36.5%) from the floor. The Panthers were 4-18 (22.2%) from deep while the 'Cats also struggled, going 3-15 (20%).  


Cat Attack
The Wildcats are 11-7 (6-3 GLIAC) this season and are currently fourth in the GLIAC standings. NMU averages 60.4 PPG while holding opponents to 56.4 a contest. 

NMU is led by Makaylee Kuhn with an average of 15.9 PPG and 7.6 RPG. Mackenzie Holzwart averages 9.8 PPG and 5.5 RPG. She leads the team with 30 steals on the season while Ana Rhude has accumulated 32 blocks.  


In the Polls
The Wildcats find themselves back in the D2SIDA Regional Polls at 10th this week. 


Coach Thousand Interview



Scouting the Lakers
The Lakers come into the matchup with a 5-12 overall record and a 2-7 record against GLIAC opponents. They are currently on a 1-4 skid in their last five games but are a positive 5-2 on their home court. The team averages 64.1 points per game behind 39.8% shooting from the floor and 31.0% from deep. 

The Lakers have three student-athletes averaging double-digit point totals per game. Mattison Rayman leads the way with 16.2, followed by Margot Woughter (13.9) and Grace Bradford (12.4). 


Previous Matchup vs. LSSU
Makaylee Kuhn scored a season-high 28 points, while adding 12 rebounds and four assists to guide the Wildcats to a 72-64 victory over Lake Superior State on December 11 at the Berry Events Center.

Mackenzie Holzwart (12), Alyssa Nimz (11), and Vivianne Jende (10) also reached double-figures for the 'Cats. NMU shot 23-63 (36.5%) while LSSU went 20-53 (37.7%). 


Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs carry a three-game losing streak coming into their matchup on Thursday against Michigan Tech before facing the 'Cats on Saturday. The 'Dogs average 72.4 points per game behind 41.1% shooting from the field and 31.3% from beyond the arc. 

The Bulldogs have three student-athletes averaging 10 or more points per game, led by Chloe Idoni with 17.4. Kenzie Bowers is next with 11.1, followed by Mallory McCartney with 10.7. 


Previous Matchup vs. Ferris State
Back on December 9, NMU took on the Ferris State Bulldogs at the Berry Events Center, falling short 60-54. 

Makaylee Kuhn scored 20 points, Elena Alaix added 19 points, and Ana Rhude stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Kenzie Bowers paced the Bulldogs with 18. 

Both teams shot sub-40% from the floor, but NMU was just 1-13 (7.7%) from three while FSU went 7-22 (31.8%). The Wildcats committed 20 turnovers to just eight from the Bulldogs.