ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan women's basketball team defeated the Ferris State Bulldogs 63-56 in the GLIAC semifinal on Saturday evening to advance to the GLIAC Championship for the first time since 2018-19. 

The Wildcats got contributions all across the board as Jacy Weisbrod led the way with 16 points, eight of which came in the first four minutes of play to get the ball rolling for the Green and Gold. Sarah Newcomer followed right behind with 15, as she hit timely bucket time and time again to keep the Wildcats ahead throughout the second half. Abi Fraaza was dominant off the bench, pulling down 11 boards to go along with seven points. 

Jacy hit the only two field goals for NMU in the first quarter as they went 2-15 and ended 0-10. Trailing 14-10 heading into the second, the script flipped, as the Bulldogs missed their first 10 shots allowing a 15-1 start to the quarter for the 'Cats. The Bulldogs did get the last eight, but NMU carried a 25-23 lead into the break. Three of NMU's seven triples came in the second, with two coming in stepback variety from Mackenzie Holzwart.

In yet another flip of the script, the first eight out of halftime went to NMU to lead 33-23. The Bulldogs chipped away, but the 'Cats still maintained a 43-38 advantage after three. 

The Bulldogs seem to come out clicking in the fourth, but Northern was unwavered, going blow-for-blow with the nationally-ranked No. 10 Bulldogs. Newcomer hit a big three to go up by nine, and Fraaza continued to dominate the glass to help propel NMU to a signature win. 


Up Next
NMU advances to the GLIAC Championship against the No. 2 team in the nation, Grand Valley State. The game is Sunday, March 10 at 3 p.m.