MARQUETTE -- Courtesy: NMU
Three players reached double-figures in the scoring column as the Northern Michigan men’s basketball team picked up a big 62-57 conference win over Grand Valley State on Thursday at the Berry Events Center.
With the win, NMU improves to 8-8 on the season and 4-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The win marks a two-game conference win streak. GVSU falls to 9-7 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
In a defensive battle, the two teams combined for 34 turnovers and 18 steals.
The Wildcats started the game leading 8-2 with a three-pointer from forward TJ Cameron at the 16:48 mark of the first half. NMU held on to a lead throughout the first half thanks to its fast start. The Lakers would cut the lead to just one point at the 6:47 mark with a jumper from Breland Hogan. That would be as close as GVSU would get as NMU took a five-point 30-25 lead into the half.
The Lakers grabbed their first lead of the game with 16:39 on the clock in the second half with a layup from Mike Przydzial. The two teams exchanged leads throughout before NMU took back the lead with a layup from senior center Jared Benson. The ‘Cats never looked back from that point and capitalized on GVSU foul trouble.
The ‘Cats were led in scoring by sophomore forward Matthew Craggs. The sophomore netted 14 points and grabbed seven boards. Freshman guard Haki Stampley and Benson also chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively.
The Lakers were led by Breland Hogan with 15 points and seven steals.
NMU shot 42.2 percent (19-45) from the field and 18.8 percent (3-16) from beyond the arc.
The Lakers outrebounded the ‘Cats 32-21.
NMU hosts Ferris State this Saturday (Jan. 21) at 3 p.m. An autograph session with the players will follow the game.
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