MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan Wildcats (12-8, 7-4) are back home this week, as they are set to welcome Saginaw Valley State (11-9, 6-4) and Wayne State(10-8, 3-7) to the Berry Events Center in the second-to-last regular season set of games at home.  

Saginaw Valley State will make the visit first, as the Wildcats and Cardinals matchup on Thursday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, February 4, Wayne State will be in town for a 1 p.m. tip-off. 
 

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Thursday, February 2 - vs. Saginaw Valley State at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets  |  Watch  |  Audio  |  Live Stats  |  Game Notes

Saturday, February 4 - vs. Wayne State at 1 p.m.
Tickets  |  Watch  |  Audio  |  Live Stats  |  Game Notes


Last Time Out
The 'Cats split a road trip last week, besting Lake Superior State 50-34 but falling at FSU 72-55. 

At LSSU: A 19-6 third quarter from the Wildcats including 14 unanswered to close the quarter fueled separation as NMU took down Lake Superior State 50-34 at their place on Thursday. The 34 points allowed is a season-best mark for the fewest points allowed for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats bench provided a spark in this one, as they produced 30 of NMU's 50 points on the night. Sarah Newcomer hit 2-3 triples and reached double figures with 10 points to lead the bench attack. Makaylee Kuhn led NMU's scoring efforts with 12 points. Mattison Rayman and Margot Woughter were largely the offense for the Lakers, as they each scored 15 points to combine for 30 of 34 points on the home team side. The rest of the LSSU offense was 2-21 (9.5%) in the game. 

The Wildcats suffocating defense held the Lakers to 11-47 (23.4%) shooting from the floor, with even colder shooting coming from the three-point line, where they went 2-23 (8.7%). NMU was 20-59 (33.9%) with 3-15 (20%) shooting from beyond the arc. 

At FSU: Sarah Newcomer had a career-high 20 points behind six triples, but Chloe Idoni had 30 points for the Ferris State Bulldogs as they topped the Wildcats 72-55 downstate on Saturday. 

Newcomer connected on a three in each quarter including a personal three straight on consecutive trips down the floor in the second quarter, but 17 Wildcat turnovers to just nine from the Bulldogs gave the home team extra possessions and ultimately doomed the Green and Gold.

NMU shot 22-55 (40%) from the floor while FSU was 27-59 (45.8%). Newcomer had all six triples for the Wildcats while the rest of the team was an empty 0-10. Ferris made nine shots from beyond the arc. 


Cat Attack
The Wildcats are 12-8 (7-4 GLIAC) this season and are currently fourth in the GLIAC standings. NMU averages 59.7 PPG, the lowest average in the GLIAC. What NMU lacks in offense is made up for on defense, as the 56.0 PPG allowed is the second-best mark in the conference. Opponents shoot 37.2% against the Green and Gold defense, another stat that is second in the GLIAC. 

NMU is led by Makaylee Kuhn with an average of 15.4 PPG and 7.4 RPG. Mackenzie Holzwart averages 9.2 PPG and 5.6 RPG. 

The Wildcats hold opponents to 10.3 assists/game, the third-best mark in the GLIAC. NMU also has a 6.2 rebounding margin, the second-best in the conference.  


Coach Thousand Preview


Scouting Saginaw Valley State
The Cardinals come into the matchup with an 11-9 overall record and a 6-4 record against GLIAC opponents. They have won three straight, but are 3-6 on the road. The team averages 62.2 points per game behind 41.2% shooting from the floor. 

SVSU is paced by Kaitlyn Zarycki who pours in points with the best of them. Her average of 20.7 PPG is second in the GLIAC and ninth in the country. Her 52.4 FG% is second in the GLIAC. She has scored in double figures in all but two games this season and is averaging 29.7 over the last three games. 

Not far behind is Tori DePerry with 17.8 PPG. The 38.5 PPG average between the two makes for the third-best scoring duo in DII women's hoops. 


Previous Matchup vs. SVSU
Trailing by seven with less than five minutes to play, Northern closed the game on an 11-0 run for a 56-52 GLIAC victory at Saginaw Valley State on January 7. 

The Wildcats' defense went into lockdown mode late, forcing SVSU into five fourth-quarter turnovers. The Cardinals also missed the last six shots of the game.  

Makaylee Kuhn (17 points), Mackenzie Holzwart (16 points), and Sarah Newcomer (12 points) led the 'Cats, combining for 45 of NMU's 56 points on the day. Holzwart added 10 rebounds for a double-double. Tori DePerry was the high-scorer in the game with 18 points. She added 14 rebounds for a double-double.  


Scouting Wayne State
The Warriors are 10-8 this season but have struggled to a 3-7 record in clashes within the GLIAC. WSU averages 66.9 PPG behind 41.9% shooting from the field.

Becca Fugate leads the team with 14.3 PPG and 6.4 RPG. She is also efficient from the floor. Her 50.6 FG% (fifth) and 43.2 3PT% (third) both rank near the top in the GLIAC. 


Previous Matchup vs. Wayne State
In a defensive battle that saw several scoring droughts on each side, NMU crashed the offensive glass, hit timely shots, and escaped Wayne State with a 56-52 overtime win back on January 5.  

It was a balanced score sheet for the Wildcats, as all nine to enter the game scored, but the highest total came from Taya Stevenson and Makaylee Kuhn who each had 10 points. For WSU, Rebecca Fugate went 8-11 from the floor for a game-high 21 points and Maxine Moore chipped in a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The offensive glass was a key factor in the victory for the Wildcats, as they held a 22-4 edge. Point guard Mackenzie Holzwart consistently crashed the glass on offense throughout the night, leading the team with seven. The 'Cats dominated in second-chance points 12-0.