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MARQUETTE -- Courtesy:  NMU

The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team earned its first win of the season on Tuesday (Nov. 20). The ‘Cats dominated non-conference Finlandia University, 78-21 from the Berry Events Center.

NMU (1-1) led the game from start to finish, going up by as many as 31 points in the first half, to close out the half with the 38-7 lead.

Sophomore guard Lauren Gruber and freshman guard Anna Liewen each accounted for six points in the first half.

The ‘Cats started off the second half on a made three point shot by sophomore center Courtney Lemon in the opening seconds of the half. The Lions couldn’t come within less than 34 points of catching the Wildcats for the remainder of the game. NMU’s greatest lead was by 57, to close out the game.

NMU had 13 players score, led by Gruber who added four additional points in the second half, good for a game total of 10 on one field goal, two three pointers and went 2-for-2 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore guard Sarah Miller and freshman forward Alyson Matkovich each tallied nine points for a game-high.

Freshman forward Nea Makela led the ‘Cats with seven rebounds, six on defense, while sophomore forward Abbey DeBruin added three rebounds each way. Northern shot 28-of-67 for 41 percent and were 14-of-20 from the free throw line.

The Lions (1-3) were led by Marissa Burke and Paige Yoho who each had five points on the night. Burke, Hailey Gervias and Cole each had four rebounds. Finlandia finished the night with 26 turnovers, to NMU’s 16.

The Lions shot 7-of-48 for 14 percent and were 6-of-10 from the free throw line.

The ‘Cats will travel to Ashland, Ohio to participate in the Ashland Tournament over the weekend (Nov. 24-25). NMU will face Mercyhurst on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Urbana on Sunday at 2 p.m.