HOUGHTON, Mich. - Trailing 47-41 early in the fourth quarter, the Northern Michigan women's basketball team outscored the Lewis Flyers 15-5 over the final nine minutes to complete a 56-52 comeback win to open the campaign.
The Wildcats defense locked down in the final quarter, as Lewis shot 3-19 (15.8%) in the final frame, including an 0-8 clip to end the game.
Makaylee Kuhn scored nine of her team-high 16 points in the final quarter to lead the charge back. She added 10 rebounds for a double-double.
Jacy Weisbrod also reached double figures with 11 points, with nine coming in the first half off of three triples.
Sarah Newcomer added another nine off the bench.
Abi Fraaza contributed two blocks to help lead the defensive effort.
It was a cool shooting evening for both sides, as NMU went 15-45 (33.3%) to Lewis' 21-61 (34.4%). Northern made its mark at the free-throw line, going 17-26 (65.4%), while Lewis was just 6-12 (50.0%).
It's a big early season victory for the Green and Gold, as the Flyers were the preseason favorite to win the GLVC along with receiving votes in the national preseason poll.
How it Happened
The Green and Gold started hot on each of the court. Newly dawning the Green and Gold, sophomore transfer
Jacy Weisbrod opened the scoring by connecting on back-to-back triples. Northern held Lewis to an 0-6 start from the floor before theyfinally got on the board four minutes into play. Freshman
Braelyn Torres also made an immediate impact in her first action, subbing in partway through the first frame. Torres created a baseline drive, drew a double team, and dished out an assist to
Abi Fraaza, and then deflected a pass on defense, resulting in a shot clock violation on the other end of the court.
NMU led 11-4 over halfway through the first 10 minutes, but as the first quarter progressed, the Flyers got back into it with a pair of triples. NMU held a slim 15-14 edge after one, but Lewis took its first lead with the opening bucket in the second.
It was shortlived, as much like she did in the first, Weisbrod rained in her third from downtown to regain the lead for the 'Cats the next trip down the floor. That kickstarted a short 8-2 spurt for NMU to go ahead 23-18. The Flyers countered with a 9-1 run to lead by three, but a series of threes from Newcomer,
Makaylee Kuhn, and Torres in the final minutes of the half vaulted NMU ahead, 33-31, at the half.
For the third straight quarter, Weisbrod opened the scoring in the third, crossing double figures on the night. The Wildcats maintained a one-possession lead when the clock ticked under two minutes left in the quarter, but Lewis ended the stanza with a 7-0 to lead 45-41 heading into the final quarter.
Lewis scored the first four in the fourth to take its largest lead of the night, 47-41.
Makaylee Kuhn led the charge back for NMU, scoring nine consecutive points off a triple and three trips to the charity stripe, as NMU regained the lead with 3:46 to play, 51-49.
NMU was able to lock down defensively, hold Lewis empty on its final eight shots to come away with the comeback 56-52 victory.
Up Next
NMU returns to play in Houghton tomorrow as they'll take on William Jewell on Saturday at 2 p.m. from the SDC Gymnasium.
