MARQUETTE, Mich. - A pair of last seconds attempts rattled out as the NMU men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to No. 16 Minnesota Duluth in Marquette, 74-72. 

Trailing by a pair, a Max Weisbrod three for the win bounced off the rim, and a follow-up shot from Brian Parzych as time expired rimmed out, as the Wildcats dropped a second straight nailbiter vs. a ranked opponent. 

Dylan Kuehl led the Wildcats with a 22-point 10-rebound double-double and tacked on an assist, two blocks, and two steals. Kuehl shot 8-12 from the field and 1-3 from the three-point line, hitting five of seven free throws. Max Weisbrod was next for the Green and Gold, dropping 18 points with three rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Weisbrod shot 6-18 from the field and 5-5 from the charity stripe.

As a team, the 'Cats shot 27-64 (42.2%) from the field, but struggled to a 3-21 (14.3%) mark from deep. They improved at the free throw line from yesterday, going 15-21 (71.4%). The 'Cats held the advantage on the glass with 38 rebounds to 31, including 12 offensive boards to five.

The Wildcats now fall to 4-5 overall, and the Bulldogs improve to 5-1 overall.


How It Happened
1st Half
 The Wildcats came out on top in the first half, leading the Bulldogs 38-34 after the opening 20 minutes. Both teams shot similarly, as the 'Cats shot 13-33 from the field and 3-15 from beyond the arc, as the Bulldogs shot 13-31 from the field and 4-11 from deep. The 'Cats outrebounded the 'Dogs 20-17, including five offensive boards to four. The 'Cats led for 13 minutes of the half, with the largest lead coming at seven points (29-22). The 'Cats posted six assists to four, and both teams committed three turnovers. 

Max Weisbrod and Dylan Kuehl led the 'Cats in the first frame with 12 and nine points, respectively. Weisbrod shot 4-8 from the field and 1-5 from beyond the arc, along with hitting all three of his free throws. Kuehl went 4-6 from the field and 1-2 from beyond the arc. Kuehl and Sam Schultz led the 'Cats in rebounds with four each.

2nd Half
The Wildcats were down to start the half but battled back to get the game tied in the dying minutes. The 'Cats had two looks to win or tie the game in the dying seconds, but both rattled out and the Bulldogs won 74-72.

The Bulldogs outscored the 'Cats 40-34 in the second frame, shooting 15-25 to NMU's 13-31. The Bulldogs shot 2-6 from the three-point line, and the 'Cats went an empty 0-6 from deep. The 'Cats out-rebounded the Bulldogs 18-14 in the frame, including seven offensive boards to UMD's one. 

It was Kuehl and Weisbrod who led the way down the stretch, leading the 'Cats with 22 and 18 points, respectively. Kuehl finished with a 22-point 10-rebound double-double, and Weisbrod tacked on three rebounds and four assists to boot. 


Up Next
The 'Cats remain home this coming week, squaring off against Viterbo on Thursday, November 30, at 5 p.m. in the PEIF Gym.