It was a weekend of ups and downs for the NMU men’s basketball team (4-6 GLIAC, 8-9 overall). Up 12 going into the second half of Saturday’s game against Ferris State, it appeared the ’Cats were on their way to completing a sweep.
The Bulldogs erupted in the second half outscoring Northern 44-18 and holding the ’Cats to 20 percent shooting. Senior center Jared Benson said the team has to figure out how to slow the opponents momentum.
“I don’t know what didn’t click in the second half,” Benson said. “When things aren’t coming together we have to find a way to rally. This is our home court and we have to find a way to protect it when we play here.”
The ’Cats jumped out to a quick start and lead by as much as 17 in the first half. Points were at a premium for Northern in the second half and head coach Doug Lewis said the defense needed to be better.
“If you don’t make shots you have to play defense and you have to rebound and that’s the biggest difference in the game,” Lewis said. “We didn’t do the little things in the second half, and it’s frustrating and disappointing.”
Benson paced the ’Cats with 18 points on 7-9 shooting and he also came up five blocks. Freshman guard Haki Stampley chipped in another 16 points. Senior guard DeAndre Taylor led the team with nine boards.
The first game of the weekend turned out on a more positive note for the ’Cats as they beat the Grand Valley State University Lakers, 62-57, last Thursday. Its NMU’s first win against the Lakers since Lewis took over as coach.
“It’s a big win; Grand Valley is the measuring stick of the conference,” Lewis said. “I have a young team and we needed an important win like this to get our confidence going and were trying to get into the conference tournament.”
Sophomore forward Matt Craggs said the team knew what to expect out of the zone.
“They were in the one-three-one and we practiced that all week because we knew they were going to go to it,” Craggs said. “Coaches told us to move the ball and penetrate and that’s what we did.”
The Lakers made a run in the second half and got up by as much as five points, before NMU responded.
Benson returned and scored all 10 of his points in the second half to spark the Wildcat comeback. Northern took the lead back at the 10:24 minute make and never lost it from there.
“Every team has their runs,” Lewis said. “They had their run and we kept our composure and got back in the game.”
The Lakers pulled the score within two, 59-57, with 34 seconds left, but Stampley got fouled with 19 seconds left and made a pair of free throws and secured a steal to seal the Wildcat victory. Lewis said it was important that Stampley didn’t let his slow start affect his confidence.
“He didn’t put his head down he continued to play and fortunately he made a big shot and made some free throws down the stretch,” Lewis said.
Craggs lead the ’Cats with 14 points and seven rebounds. Stampley chipped in another 11 points while Benson added 10.
The ’Cats are back on the road next weekend. At 8:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26. NMU takes on Hillsdale. Then at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. The ’Cats travel to Midland, Mich. to take on Northwood.
