Men's Basketball Defeats Hillsdale 75-60

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University men's basketball team picked up a 75-60 win over Hillsdale Thursday night (February 4).

Northwood has now won two straight to improve to 12-10 overall, 8-8 in the GLIAC. Hillsdale falls to 12-8 overall, 8-8 in the GLIAC. NU also avenged an 88-66 loss to Hillsdale earlier this season.

It was Northwood's 3-point shooting in the first half that proved to be the difference in the game. The Timberwolves opened the game making 5-5 to start. NU eventually was 10-11 from the 3-point line to start the game.  That allowed the Timberwolves to open up leads of 15-3, 25-6 and 31-10. NU's 45-23 lead at the break matched their biggest lead in half. NU shot 14-21 from 3-point range in the half (66.7 percent). Hillsdale finished the half at 8-27 overall (29.6 percent).

The Chargers chipped away at the lead in the second half, but never really threatened to get back into the game. HC got within 14 points twice but got no closer. Northwood's biggest lead of the night proved to be 24 points, which Northwood earned on three separate occasions.

For the game, Northwood finished at 41.8 percent overall (23-55) and 53.3 percent from 3-point range (16-30). Hillsdale ended up at 36.1 percent (22-61) overall and 37.9 from 3-point range (11-29). NU made 13 free throws to five for the Chargers.

Maurice Jones (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill) led all players with 25 points. He also added eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. Nick Spitzley (Pewamo, Mich./Pewamo-Westphalia) scored a career-high 20 points, connecting on six 3-pointers. Zach Allread (West Bloomfield, Mich.) and Jermaine Myers (Ajax, Ontario) each added 11. Myers added six assists, four steals and seven rebounds.

Northwood will travel to rival Saginaw Valley State Saturday night (Februrary 4). Game time is set for 8 p.m.