MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan women's basketball team (10-5, 4-2) will look to bounce back from a tough loss to No.11 Ferris State last weekend as they'll travel to Purdue Northwest (7-8, 2-3) for a conference game on Thursday, January 18 at 6 p.m. The Cats' will then prepare to battle Parkside (9-4, 4-1) in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 20 at 1 p.m.
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Thursday, January 18 - at. Purdue Northwest at 6 p.m.
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Saturday, January 20 - vs. Parkside at 2 p.m.
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A Word From Casey Thousand
"Purdue Northwest has been in a lot of games and they're a scary team. We have to clean up some play from Saturday. For Parkside, it's always a tough battle with them."
Hear the full weekly preview from Casey
here (12:44)
Last Time Out
Northern was last on the court on January 13th against No. 11 Ferris State. The Cats' clawed their way back into the game after trailing by 11 points, tying the game up at 47 early in the fourth quarter. From then, the Bulldogs turned on a 32-17 run with 19 free throws to pull away and win 79-67.
Northern struggled shooting in this one, going 23-62 (37.1%) from the field and 6-22 (27.3%) from beyond the arc. The Cats' did shoot efficiently from the charity stripe (15-18) and outrebounded FSU 42-29. NMU had four in double-figures:
Sarah Newcomer (18),
Makaylee Kuhn (14),
Jacy Weisbrod (14), and
Mackenzie Holzwart (11).
Cat Nips
- Makaylee Kuhn became the program's all-time leading scorer last weekend, surpassing 1,700 career points with a reverse layup in the third quarter against LSSU. She is second in the conference averaging 16.9 ppg and is fourth at 7.3 rpg. Kuhn is 58-70 (83.1%) from the free throw line this season, good for fourth in the GLIAC. She is a three-time All-GLIAC First Teamer and was named to the Preseason First Team.
- Northern leads the GLIAC in fewest turnovers/game (12.3), which is the fifth best mark in the country. Northern is second in the conference in rebounding margin (8.4) and FT percentage (76.2%). As a team, NMU allows just 5.9 offensive rebounds/game to opponents, the second fewest across conference teams.
- After struggling from the three-point line a season ago where they went just 121-454 (26.7%), the 'Cats have made tremendous progress beyond the arc so far this season, as they are second in the GLIAC in made threes (119-346 - 34.4%). Sarah Newcomer has led the way from downtown, as she is first in the GLIAC with 32 made threes.
- Sarah Newcomer has made a triple in all but one game this season. Mackenzie Holzwart is averaging 7.2 ppg, 3.7 apg, and 5.9 rpg. Holzwart also leads the team with 19 steals on the season. She is fourth in the GLIAC in total assists and is first among conference guards in defensive rebounds (4.5).
- The Green and Gold present a balanced scoring attack, as nine different 'Cats have recorded a double-digit output game this season.
Notes on Purdue Northwest
Purdue Northwest sits at 7-8 on the season and 2-3 in the GLIAC, dropping three of its last five games. Purdue Northwest is 4-3 on their home court. The Pride shoot 41.3% from the field, 31.2% from three, and 75.6% from the charity stripe.
The Pride are sixth in scoring in the conference at 63.2 points/game. They are led by forward Dash Shaw who is averaging 17.0 points/game which is tops in the GLIAC in scoring. UP native Mercedes Simmons is second in command averaging 15.3 points/game along with 9.1 rebounds/game.
NMU got the best of Purdue Northwest in the two meetings a season ago. The 'Cats claimed a 65-61 win in Marquette and followed it with a 64-48 victory in Hammond, Indiana.
Makaylee Kuhn led the Wildcats averaging 25 points in the two contests.
Notes on Parkside
The Rangers enter this weekend at 9-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Parkside has gone 5-2 at home, and are 3-2 on the road. Parkside averages the most points in the conference at 77.2 points/game, while allowing just 65.4 points/game. The Rangers rank first in field goal percentage (47.2%).
UWP present a balanced attack, with two averaging in double figures and five contributing at least six points each game. Senior guard Paty Gallasova leads the way with 12.7 ppg, while Sheridan Flauger orchestrates the offense averaging 4.3 apg and 11.8 ppg.
Northern got the best of Parkside in two meetings a season ago. The Cats' won 73-67 at home and 47-35 in Kenosha. The Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak vs. the Rangers. Kuhn led the Wildcats offensive averaging 20 points in the two contests.
