LUBBOCK, Texas - In its first game of the season and playing an unfamiliar opponent, the Northern Michigan men's basketball team hit the century mark but fell to Southeastern Oklahoma State at the Lubbock Tip-Off Classic in Texas 108-101.

It was a tightly contested game throughout, but the Storm were able to pull away late for the win. Dylan Kuhel paced the Wildcats with 23 points, while Sam Schultz added a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double. Carson Smith (19), Max Weisbrod (14), Riley Brooks (13), and Brian Parzych (10) all reched double figures as well. 

Weisbrod and Smith added five assists to lead the way for a team total of 23. The 'Cats shot 34-72 (47%) from the floor, while SOSU went 36-70 (51%). 


How it Happened

You could tell it was two top teams battling early on, with spurts of lockdown defense being countered by plays being made offensively to answer the defensive efforts. Sam Schultz was a presence in the paint, racking up six points and seven rebounds in just the first 10 minutes of play. Northern led 25-19 with 9:41 left in the first half. 

SOSU kept the gap within reach and finally pulled even at 36-36 as the clock went under four minutes left in the half. Despite every effort to keep building on a lead, the Storm countered and finally took its first lead at 43-41 with 1:57 to go. 

For the first game of the season and in an opening half that was largely played within one or two possessions, the offensives looked the part. SOSU shot 46% from the floor while Northern went 44%. The half ended near where it started, with NMU trailing 47-46. 

The 'Cats utilized a balanced attack in the first 20 minutes, with Dylan Kuehl and Carson Smith each leading the way with nine points and Schultz right behind with eight.  Five different Wildcats also connected from beyond the arc in the first half, with Riley Brooks scoring his first collegiate points.

To open the second half, Schultz and Smith each hit a triple to cross the double-digit plateau. The threes kept coming, as Max Weisbrod hit his second of the afternoon. NMU continued to trail at 59-57 with 15:51 left. 

Brooks connected a two triples as the second half neared 10 minutes in to put the Wildcats ahead 74-70, but SOSU answered with a 7-0 run to trigger another lead change. Despite a bucket from Smith to halt the run, NMU would surrender nine of the next 13 points as they trailed 86-80 with less than seven minutes remaining. 

Northern was never able to overcome the deficit, as SOSU hit the century mark to finish off the 'Cats, 108-101. 


Up Next
The 'Cats are right back at it for a Sunday night matchup with Tipoff Classic host Lubbock Christian at 8:30 p.m. ET.