Women's Basketball Defeats Salem International 89-56

DETROIT, MICH. – The Northwood University women's basketball team picked up their fourth straight win Saturday afternoon (December 20), defeating Salem International 89-56.

The game was played at Wayne State as a part of the WSU Holiday Classic.

The Timberwolves are now 7-3 overall on the season. That record matches the second best start for Northwood after 10 games in program history. Northwood's 8-2 record after 10 games in the 2008-09 season is the best 10-game start, while the 1982-83, 1983-84 and the 2007-08 teams all started 7-3.

Northwood scored less than a minute into the game and would lead the rest of the way.  The Timberwolves biggest lead of the opening half was 35-12 before a late rally by the Tigers made the halftime score 38-21.  NU shot 41.2 percent from the floor in the half (14-34) while Salem International finished at 25.9 percent (7-27). NU led by 17 at the break despite going the final 6:21 of the first half without a field goal.

NU got the lead up to 26 less than five minutes into the second half and did not look back from there. The Timberwolves led by as many as 37 and shot over 60 percent for the majority of the second half. Northwood ended up at 53.1 percent in the second half (17-32) while Salem improved to 48.3 percent (14-29) after the break.

For the game, Northwood finished at 47.0 percent (31-66) compared to Salem International at 37.5 percent (31-66). Northwood's 3-point shooting was strong, going 10-22 overall (45.5 percent). The Timberwolves finished with big advantages in points off turnovers (21-9), fast break points (20-2) and bench points (42-12).

Sixteen different players saw action for Northwood in the game. The Timberwolves were led in scoring by freshman Maddy Seeley (Alma, Mich.), who came off the bench to score 17 points. She was 5-9 from the floor and 3-5 from 3-point range. Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) had 16 points, while Jordyn Nurenberg (St. Johns, Mich.) had 11 points and six rebounds. Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.) finished with 10 points, seven assists and a pair of steals while not committing a turnover.

At the conclusion of the tournament, Northwood had two players named to the All-Tournament team - Robak and Rivette. Robak averaged 18.5 points per game, while Rivette averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

Northwood will return to action January 2 at Ashland. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.