Women's Basketball Defeats Wayne State 82-66

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University women's basketball team picked up an 82-66 win over Wayne State Thursday night (December 3).

The game was the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opener for both teams.

Northwood is now 5-2 overall, 1-0 in the GLIAC. Wayne State falls to 4-1 overall, 0-1 in the GLIAC.

The Timberwolves connected on four 3-pointers in the opening quarter, allowing them to open up a lead as big as nine in the frame. NU eventually led 23-15 after one. Both teams shot similar numbers in terms of percentage in the quarter (WS 41.2, NU 42.1), but Northwood made four more 3-pointers (4-0) and made two more free throws (3-1).

Northwood expanded their lead to 11 early in the second (26-15) when the Warriors began to fight back. WSU eventually cut the advantage down to 33-31, but NU finished the quarter strong to take a 44-37 lead to the break. Both teams shot well in the quarter (NU 46.7 percent, WSU 55.6).

NU maintained the lead throughout the third quarter. Their advantage got all the way up to 14 before Northwood settled for a 64-54 lead heading to the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves got off five more field goal attempts in the quarter, which allowed them to out-score WSU 20-17.

The Warriors got the lead down to four at 68-64 with 5:58 remaining but Northwood finished with a big push to earn the win. NU out-scored WSU 14-2 the rest of the way to earn the win. Northwood had a big advantage from the floor in the quarter, finishing at 50.0 percent (6-12) while holding Wayne state to a 22.2 percent clip (4-18).

For the game, Northwood shot 46.0 percent (29-63) compared to Wayne State at 41.5 percent (27-65). NU made five more 3-pointers than WSU (7-2) and seven more free throws (17-10). Wayne State never led in the game and NU was on top for 38:03 of the 40 minutes.

Four Timberwolves finished in double figures in the game, led by Emily Kutch (Freeport, Mich./Lakewood). She finished with a career-high 21 points, going 7-8 from the floor, 2-2 from 3-point range and 5-6 from the foul line.  Jordyn Nurenberg (St. John's, Mich..) had her sixth double-double in seven games to open the season, totaling 20 points and 10 rebounds.  Maddy Seeley (Alma, Mich.) and Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) finished with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Northwood will host Findlay Saturday afternoon (December 5). Game time is set for 1 p.m.

NOTE: At halftime of the game, a special ceremony was held, during which it was announced that gymnasium has now been renamed the Riepma Arena, in honor of Northwood's late football coach/athletic director Pat Riepma.