MARQUETTE -- Courtesy: NMU
The Northern Michigan women’s basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 51-48 game against Grand Valley State on Thursday (Jan. 19) at the Berry Events Center.
With the loss, NMU falls to 8-8 on the season and 4-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The loss snaps a two-game conference win streak. GVSU improves to 9-7 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
The Wildcats led throughout most of the contest before succumbing to a late rally by the Lakers with just over one minute to go.
The two teams exchanged the lead five times throughout the first half before NMU grabbed a comfortable four-point, 25-21 lead right before the break with a three-pointer from senior guard Chelsea Lyons.
NMU led throughout much of the second half, fending of small rallies by the Lakers. Fouls proved to be the story of the final 20 minutes as the two teams combined for 25 fouls after committing only six in the first half. Free throws proved to be the game clincher for GVSU down the stretch and the dagger for NMU, as Lyons missed a pair of free throws with 39 seconds left in the game which could have put the ‘Cats up by one.
The ‘Cats were led in scoring by Lyons with 20 points, five rebounds and three steals. Lyons was (13-17) at the charity stripe as well. Freshman center Courtney Lemon also netted 11 points as the only other ‘Cat in double-figures.
The Lakers were led by Brittany Taylor with 16 points and eight rebounds.
NMU shot 35.1 percent (13-37) from the field and 40.0 percent (4-10) from behind the line.
The Lakers outrebounded the ‘Cats 34-23.
NMU hosts Ferris State this Saturday (Jan. 21) at 1 p.m. An autograph session with the players will follow the game.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC