Women's Basketball Defeats Ashland 65-49

The Northwood University men's basketball team opened 2014 with a 65-49 win over Ashland Thursday night (January 2).

Northwood improves to 5-4 overall, 3-2 in the GLIAC. Ashland, the defending NCAA Division II Champions, fall to 5-4 overall, 3-2 in the GLIAC.

The Timberwolves scored the first four points of the game and would never trail the rest of the way. The score was tied 4-4 when NU went on a 13-0 run to go up 17-4 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Ashland chipped away at the lead, but a 3-pointer by freshman Sami Stormont (Royal Oak, Mich.) in the final seconds of the half gave Northwood a 28-19 lead at the break. Neither team shot well in the opening half – NU finished at 30.6 percent (11-36) while Ashland finished at 31.8 percent (7-22). Turnovers were key in the first half – Ashland had 15 giveaways to just seven for Northwood.

A hot start by sophomore guard Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) in the second half put Northwood up 38-23 with 15:19 remaining.  Robak knocked down three triples in the opening 4:41 of the second half. Ashland got no closer than nine the rest of the way.

Northwood shot better in the second half, finishing the game at 37.1 percent overall (23-62). Ashland finished at 36.0 percent (18-50).  A year after getting out-rebounded 50-20 by Ashland, Northwood finished with a 44-34 edge on the boards.  The Timberwolves dominated the specialty stats in the game, ending the game with advantages in points in the paint (30-20), points off turnovers (20-10), second chance points (14-2), fast break points (10-2) and bench points (15-4).

Robak led all scorers with 19 points, all of which came after halftime. Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.) finished with 13 points, five rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals. Kaitlin Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center) had a strong all-around game, finishing with eight points (4-4 from the floor), 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

Northwood will host Lake Erie Saturday (January 4). Game time is set for 1 p.m.