Box Score
Northern Michigan scored on its first four possessions in taking a quick 8-0 lead just 86 seconds into a non-conference women's basketball game in Marquette, Michigan, Saturday night. The Wildcats led throughout the contest and posted a 75-68 victory over visiting UW-Parkside.
The Wildcat win elevated their overall record to 5-3. The Rangers left the Upper Peninsula with a 6-2 mark.
Northern Michigan led by a dozen points on two different occasions in the first half. The team was up, 36-28, at halftime.
Free throws keyed the NMU win. Scoring its last field goal of the game with 8:22 left in the contest and leading, 56-46, the Wildcats were a perfect 19-19 at the free throw line down the stretch. Northern Michigan made good on 26 of 28 charity tosses in the game. The squad was a staggering 22-23 at the stripe in the second half.
UW-Parkside whittled the gap to three points at 69-66 on a 15-footer by Brittany Beyer with 41 seconds left. After two Wildcat free throws, Amy Selk hit a clutch jumper as three points separated the teams again, this time with 27 ticks left on the clock. The Rangers were forced to play chase and foul, but did not get any breaks from their hosts.
Kellie Reitveld and Steffani Stoeger scored 19 and 18 points respectively to pace the Wildcat effort. Both benefited at the line with a combined 16-16 effort, with 10 from Stoeger.
Beyer led the Ranger charge with 17 points. Selk added 15 points and Jadee Rooney chipped in 14.
Northern Michigan out-rebounded the Rangers, 33-26, and held a slight edge in shooting percentage from the floor with a 47 percent effort compared to 44 percent for the Rangers. Northern Michigan was forced into 18 turnovers, while the Rangers took better care of the ball, turning it over only 10 times.
The Rangers will play one more game prior to Christmas. UWP will host Olivet Nazarene of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the DeSimone Gymnasium.
