Women's Basketball Tops Tiffin 77-66

MIDLAND, MICH. - The Northwood University women's basketball team topped Tiffin 77-66 Thursday evening (January 8).

The Timberwolves have won six of their last seven to improve to 9-4 on the season, 5-2 in the GLIAC. The Dragons fall to 3-10 overall, 2-5 in the GLIAC.

Northwood struck first with a three-pointer by senior guard Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.). Tiffin answered with three straight points indicating how the remainder of the period would play out. Nearly every Northwood basket was followed by Dragon points. While the Timberwolves led by as many as seven points, the opening half saw 12 lead changes before NU took a 38-33 advantage into the locker room.

Northwood held the advantage in both bench points (16-2) and points off turnovers (15-3). The Dragons shot 51.7 percent (15-29) in the opening half, while the Timberwolves finished at 43.8 percent (14-32).

The Timberwolves pulled away in the second half, scoring the first six points to take a 44-33 lead and never looked back. Northwood led by as many as 23 with 5:15 to go in the game (73-50). Tiffin continued to fight, going on a 10-2 run to finish the game. Northwood shot 62.5 percent (15-24) from the floor in the second half.

For the game, the Timberwolves finished at 29-56 from the floor for 51.8 percent. Tiffin shot 42.6 percent from the floor and 85.7 percent (12-14) from the charity stripe. While the Dragons out-rebounded Northwood (37-30), NU finished with advantages in bench points (34-12) and points off turnovers (19-7).

Five Timberwolves finished in double figures. Freshman Maddy Seeley (Alma, Mich.) came off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points in 20 minutes. Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich. / Our Lady of the Lakes) netted 15, while Jordyn Nurenberg (St. Johns, Mich.)  added 12. Senior Aleigha Wylie (Hemlock, Mich. / Midland) finished with 10 points and Kaitlin Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Byron Center) grabbed nine rebounds. Rivette recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with six rebounds and just two turnovers in 30 minutes.

Northwood will be back in action on Saturday, as the Timberwolves host the Ohio Dominican Panthers for Community Youth Day. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. All local youth basketball players in their game uniforms will receive FREE admission to the game! Midland Basketball Academy 4^th and 5^th grade teams will compete during halftime. CLICK HERE for the complete 2014-15 women's basketball promotional calendar.