MARQUETTE -- (Courtesy of NMU Athletics) For the second straight game, the Northern Michigan women’s basketball team saw its first half lead disappear, falling 78-71 to Ferris State on Saturday (Jan. 21) at the Berry Events Center.
With the loss, NMU falls to 8-9 on the season and 4-6 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. FSU improves to 12-4 overall and 9-1 in the conference.
The Bulldogs took the lead early in the first half before the Wildcats broke through with a layup from freshman center Brooke Coenen at 11:09 mark to take a 14-13 lead. NMU surrendered the lead only one more time down the stretch and took a nine-point, 33-24 lead into the break with a three-pointer from Lauren Gruber as the clock expired.
FSU came out of the half on a mission going on a 20-4 run to take a 44-37 lead with 13:08 left on the clock. NMU was never able to regain the lead, playing from behind double-digits throughout most of the half.
The ‘Cats staged a late rally with the hot shooting of freshman guard Alyssa Colla and senior guard Chelsea Lyons but could only get within five points with just under 20 seconds remaining.
The ‘Cats were led in scoring by Lyons, who had a career-high 30 points to go along with six assists. Colla also had a career afternoon, netting 17 points and four rebounds. Freshman center Courtney Lemon also reached double-figures late in the game thanks to her 3-6 performance from three-point land.
The Bulldogs were led by freshman center Christina Branch with 23 points and nine boards.
NMU shot 43.9 percent (25-57) from the field and 39.1 percent (9-23) from behind the line.
The Bulldogs outrebounded the ‘Cats 40-24
NMU hits the road next week, traveling to Hillsdale (Jan. 26) and Northwood (Jan. 28).
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