Women's Basketball Defeats Michigan Tech 80-58

The Northwood University women's basketball team claimed an impressive 80-58 victory over Michigan Tech Thursday night (February 20).

Northwood improves to 13-11 overall, 11-9 in the GLIAC. MTU falls to 17-7 overall, 15-5 in the GLIAC.

The win snapped Michigan Tech's 13-game winning streak over Northwood. NU's last win against MTU came at the end of the 2007-08 season. The last win for the Timberwolves at home against the Huskies came in February of 2003.

Northwood connected on a 3-pointer on their first possession of the game and would lead the rest of the way. The Timberwolves finished the half strong, going on a 15-4 run late in the half to open up a 17 point lead.  NU eventually took a 39-23 lead at the break. Northwood shot just 34.5 percent from the floor (10-29) but made up for it by going 16-17 from the foul line.

The Timberwolves got off to a strong start in the second half, extending their lead to 58-28 with under 14 minutes remaining. MTU made a big push to get back into the game, going on a 19-1 run to cut the lead to 59-47 with 8:48 remaining. But the Timberwolves responded with a run of her own, pushing the advantage back up to 24 points thanks to a 15-3 run to put the game away.

For the game, Northwood shot 40.3 percent from the floor (15-33) while Michigan Tech finished at 31.6 percent (18-57). NU out-rebounded the Huskies 45-37 and held big advantages in points off turnovers (16-5) and second chance points (17-9). Northwood had just nine turnovers in the game and also went 25-29 from the foul line (86.2 percent).

Three Timberwolves finished with at least 17 points, led by freshman Emily Kutch (Freeport, Mich./Lakewood) and junior Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.). Kutch scored a career-high 20 points, thanks in large part to going 9-11 from the foul line. Rivette also added 20 points while finishing with three assists, four rebounds and three steals. Sarah Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center) registered 17 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Kaitlin Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

Northwood will host Northern Michigans Saturday (February 22). Game time is set for 1 p.m.