WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – The Northern Michigan women's basketball team (2-1) picked up a signature win on Sunday afternoon, knocking off the No. 7 Minnesota State Mavericks (1-2) 66-54 to close out the D2 CCA Midwest Tip-Off Challenge.
It was a defensive masterclass from the Green and Gold, who held the high-octane Mavericks to nearly 40 points below their 2025-26 season scoring average (91.2 ppg). It was also the lowest offensive output MSU has recorded since February 4, 2022 (46 points).
The Mavericks finished the game just 16-55 (29.1%) from the field and 3-13 (23.1%) from three-point range. NMU forced 20 turnovers, held a 45-35 advantage on the glass, and blocked eight shots.
NMU was also very active in the passing lanes and quick to close out on shooters. The Mavericks managed just five assists in the game, indicative of Northern's coordination and collaborative defensive pressure.
"We really turned it up defensively in the second quarter by holding them to nine points," said
Casey Thousand. "It was a team effort. We were contesting every shot and making it difficult for them. People were doing their job and the energy was contagious."
Offensively, Northern shot 20-55 (36.4%) overall and 7-24 (29.2%) from three.
Jordyn Schmittdiel fueled the effort for the Wildcats and received Player of the Game honors. She recorded an 10-point, 17-rebound double-double while also leading the Wildcats with three blocks.
Sydney Whitehouse paced the Wildcats with 14 points, connecting on three triples. She also dished out a game-high four assists, pulled down eight rebounds, and added three steals.
Faith Walder added 10 points, while
Addison Pytleski led the team with four steals.
How It Happened
The Mavericks' Haylee Stokes scored the first five points of the game, and the Mavericks jumped out to an 8-0 lead before the Wildcats got on the board at the free-throw line with 5:23 remaining.
Sydney Whitehouse followed with NMU's first field goal, and
Teagan Schoenecker and Whitehouse knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to help the Wildcats keep pace.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first, shooting below 28% from the floor, as Minnesota State held a narrow 13-12 lead after one.
The Wildcats turned up the defensive pressure to dominant levels in the second quarter, putting together impressive stretches on both ends of the floor.
Haddie Showen opened the period with an and-one to give NMU a 15-13 lead, extending a 12-0 run that began in the first quarter. Minnesota State went more than six minutes without a point and nine minutes without a field goal, as the Wildcats' defense consistently disrupted the Mavericks.
MSU managed just two field goals on 12 attempts in the quarter, while NMU outscored the Mavericks 18-9 to take a 30-22 halftime advantage. After hitting their first two shots of the game, NMU's defense held Mankato to 4-27 (14.8%) the rest of the half. The Wildcats also recorded six blocks and forced 13 turnovers through the opening 20 minutes.
Northern carried its momentum into the second half, with Whitehouse and Showen each connecting from beyond the arc to push the lead to 38-22 just over two minutes into the third quarter, the largest gap of the game.
The Mavericks made several pushes to get back within 10, but the Wildcats continued to answer, maintaining a 46-36 advantage heading into the final frame.
With the upset within reach, NMU continued to get contributions throughout the lineup.
Addison Baumgart delivered a timely three-pointer, while
Jordyn Schmittdiel continued to control the paint. She scored back-to-back baskets to secure her double-double, helping the Wildcats maintain a 59-44 lead with 3:30 remaining.
Northern Michigan stayed composed against Mankato's press down the stretch, protecting its advantage to secure a statement victory.
Up Next
The Wildcats will be off next weekend before returning to Wisconsin Dells for two games, starting with Lewis on Friday, November 13.
