MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan women's basketball team (21-9) is heading to the NCAA Tournament, as  the Wildcats will be the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region and will take on No. 5 Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at host Grand Valley State (Allendale, Mich.)

Also in the region, No. 1 Grand Valley will play No. 8 Trevecca Nazarene, No. 2 Ashland will contend No. 7 Drury, and No. 3 Ferris State will battle with No. 6 Lewis. 

Northern Michigan was last in the big dance in 2019, where they defeated Ashland in the First Round before falling to Drury in the Round of 32. 


Follow The Action
Follow @NMU_WBBall and on X (formerly known as Twitter) and @nmu_wbball on Instagram for updates leading up to and during the Tournament. 

Friday, March 15 - vs. Kentucky Wesleyan at 7:30 p.m. (Allendale, Mich.)
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A Word from Casey Thousand
"It's going to be different being in the NCAA Tournament. It's a fun experience, this is what's all about and I told our team to enjoy the ride."



Last Time Out
NMU made it to the GLIAC Championship for the first time in five seasons, but fell to host Grand Valley State 67-48 on Sunday. Rebounding played a big role in the contest as the Lakers pulled down 42 to NMU's 23. With eight more offensive rebounds, GVSU led in second chance points 15-2. Makaylee Kuhn was named to the All-Tournament Team following the game.


Cat Nips

• Averaging 17.1 points/game, senior Makaylee Kuhn currently has 1,984 career points. She has scored in double figures in all but three games this season and is 125-150 (83.3%) from the free throw line. She is a four-time All-GLIAC First Teamer and became Northern's all-time leading on January 11th vs. Lake Superior State. 
• Sophomore guard Jacy Weisbrod was recently named to the All-GLIAC Second Team as she is averaging 12.4 points/game this season. She was far-and-away the GLIAC leader in threes, connecting on 82-199 (41.2%). She is 14th in the country in made threes and 17th in threes/game (2.83). She has made at least one in all 29 of her games this season, made multiple in 24/29, and has connected on 5+ an outstanding six times. 
• Ana Rhude has been a force in the paint, rejecting 44 shots this season. Over the last five, she is averaging an eye-popping 3.2 blocks/game. Rhude recently became NMU's all-time career blocks leader with 139. 
• Northern takes care of the ball as well as anyone, as its 12.0 turnovers/game is the third best mark in the country. The Wildcats are also 34th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (1.04) and 35th in rebound margin (5.6). 
• After struggling from the three-point line a season ago where they went just 121-454 (26.7%), the 'Cats have made tremendous strides beyond the arc this season, as they are 217-658 - 33.0%. 
• The Green and Gold can present a balanced scoring attack on any given night, as nine different 'Cats have recorded a double-digit output game this season.
• In two seasons under head coach Casey Thousand, the Wildcats have hosted a playoff game in each and have a record of 36-22 (.621). 

Notes on Kentucky Wesleyan
The Panthers enter the NCAA Tournament with a record of 21-6. They average 74.0 points/game, which is good for 28th nationally. They are also top-30 in field goal percentage (44.4%), three-point percentage (34.5%), three-pointers/game (8.0), turnover margin (7.3), and turnovers forced/game (21.5). 

KWC presents a very balanced scoring attack: Emmy Ralph (11.4 ppg), Jordyn Barga (11.1), Corina Conley (11.1), Shaylee McDonald (10.2), Sydnee Richetto (9.2), and Shiya Hoosier (7.0). 
Barga cleans the glass as well as anyone, averaging 7.3 rebounds/game. Six Panthers have made at least 24 triples this season. 

The Panthers lost in the GMAC Quarterfinals to Malone, 68-62, in the 2/7 matchup. Prior to that, Wesleyan won 10 of its past 11 to close out the regular season. Both Northern and Wesleyan lost to Ashland this season while both were triumphant over Northwood. 


NCAA Tournament - Midwest Regional
Host by Grand Valley State

Friday, March 15
Game One: #6 Lewis vs. #3 Ferris State | 12:00 p.m.
Game Two: #7 Drury vs. #2 Ashland | 2:30 p.m.
Game Three: #8 Trevecca Nazarene vs. #1 GVSU | 5:00 p.m.
Game Four: #5 Kentucky Wesleyan vs. #4 Northern Michigan | 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 16
Game Five: Game One winner vs. Game Two winner | 5:00 p.m.
Game Six: Game Three winner vs. Game Four winner | 7:30 p.m.

Monday, March 18
Game Seven: Game Five winner vs. Game Six winner | 7:00 p.m.