MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan women's basketball team is back in Wisconsin Dells this weekend, continuing its early-season slate at the Midwest Region Tip-Off after playing three games there to open the season two weekends ago. 

Northern will begin the weekend against Lewis on Friday, November 13, at 8 p.m. ET before closing out the trip against Upper Iowa on Saturday, November 14, at 2 p.m. ET.

The Wildcats have one more game remaining in Wisconsin Dells after this weekend, bringing their season total to six contests at the Justagame Fieldhouse. Northern will return on November 28 to face Winona State.

Both games will be broadcast on 94.9 The Bay, with Casey Ford on the call, and streamed live on the Justagame Fieldhouse website.


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 games.


A Word From Casey Thousand
"It was a great week of prepping ourselves and making sure we're doing what we want to do and doing it well. Our defense is going to carry us this year, and our team is tough. You get a stop, and it gives you opportunities to get into the offense."



Last Time Out
Northern opened the 2026-27 season with a 2-1 showing at the D2 CCA Midwest Tip-Off Challenge in Wisconsin Dells, highlighted by a pair of victories to close out the weekend. After dropping its season opener to No. 14 Central Missouri (56-35), the Wildcats bounced back with a 79-72 win over Truman State before closing the tournament with a statement 66-54 victory over No. 7 Minnesota State.

Northern found its offensive rhythm against Truman State, earning its first win of the season behind a dominant performance in the paint. The Wildcats held advantages in points in the paint (44-24), rebounds (39-32), and blocks (5-0), while shooting 46.8 percent from the floor. Raegan Krueger led the way with 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench, shooting an efficient 10-of-12 from the field. Addison Pytleski added 14 points, while Faith Walder contributed 11 as NMU maintained the lead throughout the contest.

The Wildcats carried that momentum into Sunday's matchup with No. 7 Minnesota State, delivering a defensive performance to secure the 12-point upset. Northern held the Mavericks to just 29.1 percent shooting from the floor and forced 20 turnovers, limiting a high-scoring opponent to nearly 40 points below its season scoring average from a year ago. Jordyn Schmittdiel recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, while Sydney Whitehouse paced the Wildcats with 14 points. Both Schmittdiel and Whitehouse were named to the All-Tournament Team. 


About the Wildcats
Entering 2026-27 under fifth-year head coach Casey Thousand, the Wildcats boast an 85-40 overall record, including 53-23 in the GLIAC. Despite losing four starters from a season ago, the Wildcats return nine players, including several key contributors from last season's 25-8 campaign. NMU has also brought in six freshmen and one transfer.

The Wildcats will look to replace significant production from a season ago, including All-GLIAC First Team selections Jacy Weisbrod and Sarah Newcomer. Weisbrod finished her career as the program's all-time leader in three-pointers with 278 and set a single-season program record with 106 triples last season.

Headlining the returning group is reigning GLIAC Sixth Woman of the Year Sydney Whitehouse. The junior from Green Bay, Wisconsin, was selected to the All-GLIAC Preseason First Team after appearing in all 33 games and averaging 9.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Whitehouse scored in double figures 15 times, including a career-high 25 points in the GLIAC Quarterfinals against Michigan Tech.

Also returning is Addison Pytleski, who averaged 7.2 points per game and ranked second on the team with a 38.8% three-point shooting percentage. Faith Walder (5.7 ppg), Madison Schroeder (4.5 ppg), and Jordyn Schmittdiel (3.6 ppg) also return and look to play key roles. Schmittdiel ranked second on the team with 5.3 rebounds per game while leading the Wildcats with 18 blocks.

Also returning and looking to step into larger roles are Haddie Showen, Ava Bates, Addison Baumgart, and Elsa Bachert. The Wildcats will also look to their incoming freshmen and transfer to help fill the gaps left by last season's departures.

The Wildcats have hosted a GLIAC Tournament game in each of the past four seasons and will look to return to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season in 2026-27.


2026-27 GLIAC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Grand Valley State, 100 (10)
2. Northern Michigan, 84
3. Parkside, 76 (1)
4. Ferris State, 75
5. Wayne State, 68
6. Roosevelt, 53
7. Michigan Tech, 49
8. Davenport, 31
9. Lake Superior State, 29
10. Saginaw Valley State, 24
11. Purdue Northwest, 16