Women's Basketball Defeats Grand Valley State 84-74

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University women's basketball team earned an 84-74 win over Grand Valley State Saturday afternoon (February 13).

Northwood has now won five of their last six games to improves to 15-10 overall, 11-8 in the GLIAC. Grand Valley State falls to 18-7 overall, 13-6 in the GLIAC. The two teams have now split their two regular season meetings in each of the last eight seasons.  

The Timberwolves came out hot offensively, shooting 60.0 percent in the first quarter (12-20) to open up a 27-20 after one quarter. NU's speed got them off to a good start, registering nine fast-break points to zero for Grand Valley State in the first quarter.

NU opened up a 13-point lead (40-27) in the second quarter, but the Lakers fought back to cut the lead down to two at 40-38. Northwood finished the quarter strong, scoring nine of the final 11 points to go up 49-42 at the break. Northwood made 10 more field goals than Grand Valley State (22-12), but the Lakers went 13-14 from the foul line while NU did not attempt a foul shot in the half.

Opening the second half on a 10-4 run and holding the Lakers to zero points through the first three minutes and 45 seconds, Northwood extended their lead to ten halfway through the third quarter. GVSU fought back down the stretch in the third quarter to cut the Northwood lead down to 63-59 heading to the final frame.

Northwood hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter and maintained the lead the rest of the way. The Lakers got no closer than five points.

For the game, Northwood shot 54.5 percent (34-62) to Grand Valley State's 46.0 percent (23-50). NU won the points in the paint (40-30), fast break points (15-2), and bench scoring (40-36) battles. Coming in as one of the more hot shooting teams from behind the arc, the Lakers finished at 31.8 percent (7-22), with the Timberwolves netting 33.3 percent. (7-21).

The Timberwolves were led on Senior Day by Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich.), who finished with a 26 points to move into fourth all-time in Northwood scoring history for women's basketball (1,408 points). Jordyn Nurenberg (St. John's Mich.) finished with another double-double, posting 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Maddy Seeley (Alma, Mich.) also chipped in with 11 points off the bench.

The Timberwolves will return to action Thursday night (February 18) for a game up north at Michigan Tech.  Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.