MARQUETTE, Mich. - A new season begins this weekend for the Northern Michigan women's basketball team. The Wildcats will travel to Pennsylvania to take part in the CCA Tip-Off Classic, where they are set to face three non-conference opponents: California University of Pennsylvania, Gannon, and Edinboro. 

The team's season opener will take place on Friday, November 7, at 5 p.m. against California University of Pennsylvania. The 'Cats will then face Gannon on Saturday, November 8, at 7 p.m. and Edinboro on Sunday, November 9, at 4 p.m.

The Wildcats are set to play their first home game at Vandament Arena on Thursday, November 20, against St. Cloud State, followed by Minnesota Duluth on Friday, November 21. 


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


Friday, November 7 - vs. California University of Pennsylvania at 5 PM
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Saturday, November 8 - vs. Gannon at 7 PM
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Sunday, November 9 - vs. Edinboro at 4 PM
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Hear from Casey Thousand
"We are going in focused on us and making sure we are doing things the way we want to do them. We have to be adaptable, and we will lean on our seniors to know what we want."



Previewing the Season Ahead
In the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Preseason Poll, NMU's women's basketball team was picked to finish second out of the conference's 11 teams.

2025-26 GLIAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1.   Grand Valley State - 100 (10)
2.   Northern Michigan - 87
3.   Ferris State - 84 (1)
4.   Parkside - 72
5.   Wayne State - 66
6.   Michigan Tech - 48
7.   Saginaw Valley State - 46
8.   Roosevelt - 43
9.   Davenport - 25
10. Lake Superior State - 21
11. Purdue Northwest - 13

The Wildcats clinched the preseason second-place position behind Grand Valley State. The Lakers received 100 points and 10 first-place votes in the poll. NMU followed with 87 points, then Ferris State with 84.


About the 'Cats
The Wildcats enter the new season with big momentum after coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and tying the program's best win total since 2000-01 (23). Under head coach Casey Thousand, NMU finished with a 23-9 overall record and 15-5 in GLIAC play, while finishing second in the conference. Now entering her fourth season as head coach of the Wildcats, Thousand holds a 60-32 (.652) overall record, including one of 38-18 in GLIAC play. 

The 'Cats will return many players from last year's roster, including key components such as seniors Jacy Weisbrod, Sarah Newcomer, Alyssa Hill, and CJ Romero; as well as sophomore Sydney Whitehouse. NMU will welcome five newcomers to the squad with four freshmen and one transfer.

Weisbrod was named to this season's Preseason All-GLIAC First Team. These honors come after a standout 2024-25 season, earning All-GLIAC First Team honors and D2CCA All-Midwest Region Second Team honors. The wing averaged 13.4 points per game while leading the conference in three-pointers (sixth in the nation). 

Newcomer averaged 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game last season, while holding second position on the team for three-pointers, with 61. She was named to the 2024-25 All-GLIAC Second Team. 


A Look at the Opponents
California University of Pennsylvania 
The Vulcans enter the 2025–26 season looking to climb the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) standings after a strong showing during last season's 16–12 overall and 12–8 conference record. California University of Pennsylvania was selected to place fourth in the PSAC this season. This program, which holds NCAA Division II national titles from 2004 and 2015, will look to continue its role as one of the most competitive teams in the PSAC. Alicia Young is the top returning scorer for the team after averaging 12.7 points per game a season ago. 

Gannon
The Gannon Golden Knights are coming off a big 2024–25 season, in which the team went 28–7 overall and 16–4 in PSAC play, placing them among the top teams in the conference. The Knights averaged 68.7 points per game while holding opponents to just 56.8 (the best scoring margins in the PSAC last season). Gannon will return key contributors like Bri Claxon (averaged 15.1 points per game in 2024-25) and Kate Ratliff (averaged 14.1 PPG). The Golden Knights aim to build on previous postseason runs, and compete for another PSAC championship and NCAA Division II Tournament appearance.

Edinboro
The Fighting Scots women's basketball team enters the 2025–26 season after averaging 72.9 points per game while holding opponents to just 61.4 (a +11.5 scoring margin). They shot 44.6% from the floor, 32.1% from three-point range, and 78.1% from the free-throw line. The team finished the season with a 25–7 overall record and 17–3 in PSAC play. The Scots averaged 38.6 rebounds and 14.8 assists per game, emphasizing their high-energy style of play. Despite losing their top four scorers from last year, the Fighting Scots are hopeful to remain a powerhouse in the PSAC and make another strong postseason run.