The NMU women’s basketball team will hit the road for a rematch against the Grand Valley State University Lakers and Ferris State Bulldogs this weekend.

The Wildcats recently split a home series, falling to the Lake Superior State Lakers, 70-57, Thursday, Jan. 30, and defeating the Northwood Timberwolves, 74-62, Saturday, Feb. 1. Senior forward Annie Rubendunst finished the game against Northwood with a double-double, tallying 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The ’Cats fell to rival Michigan Tech, 71-65, Monday, Feb. 3, at the Student Development Center in Houghton. NMU led 28-27 at the half, but was outscored, 44-37, in the second half of the game. Junior guard Alyssa Colla led NMU with 22 points. The loss dropped NMU to 9-6 in the GLIAC, 12-7 overall.

Head coach Troy Mattson said the team played well against the No. 2 team in the GLIAC, Michigan Tech University.

“I’m proud of the way we played,” Mattson said. “We played a good basketball game, Tech played a good basketball game, and we need to bounce back now and make sure we’re really focused as we go on this next road trip. We have to win a couple games.”

The ’Cats will play their fourth and fifth games in ten days as they travel downstate this weekend.Junior guard Lauren Gruber said the team will need to prepare mentally for the road.“Our team really needs to work on mental changes these next few games,” Gruber said. “It’s really just working on coming out with the right attitude and getting ready to play.”NMU will play the Grand Valley State Lakers at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale, Mich.

The Wildcats defeated Grand Valley, 81-66, Thursday, Jan. 16 at Berry Events Center. Colla scored 25 points in the game. Mattson said the ’Cats can expect a  different Grand Valley team than the one they defeated last month.

“They’re playing better than they were when we last played them,” Mattson said. “We need to make sure we attack them on offense and step up a little more and adjust on defense in the game. We’re going to have to keep focused on our game plan and get this important win on the road.”

Grand Valley heads into the weekend with a conference record of 8-7, 10-9 overall. The Lakers lost their last three games, with their most recent, 78-76, loss at home to the Wayne State Warriors. The Lakers are led in scoring by Dani Crandall and sophomore guard/forward Bailey Cairnduff, both averaging double-digit points per game.The Wildcats travel to Big Rapids to take on the Ferris State Bulldogs at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at Jim Wink Arena.

The ’Cats fell to the Bulldogs, 69-61, on Saturday, Jan. 18 at home. Colla led the ’Cats in scoring with 27 points in the loss.Senior guard Sarah DeShone leads the Ferris State offense, averaging 18.2 points per game. The Bulldogs come in with a 6-7 conference record, 6-9 overall. Ferris lost their most recent game in Detroit, 88-83, to the Wayne State Warriors.

The Bulldogs’ last game against Saginaw Valley State on Saturday, Feb. 1 was canceled. Colla said the team will need to come in with more strength if they’re going to beat Ferris State the second time around.

“We need to make sure we’re rebounding more against Ferris this time around,” Colla said. “We’ve been getting a little lazy or tired when our guards are coming in, so we just have to be stronger, mentally and physically heading in. I know we’ll show up ready to play.”Junior guard Lauren Gruber said the team will need to prepare mentally for the road.

“Our team really needs to work on mental changes these next few games,” Gruber said. “It’s really just working on coming out with the right attitude and getting ready to play.”NMU will play the Grand Valley State Lakers at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale, Mich. The Wildcats defeated Grand Valley, 81-66, Thursday, Jan. 16 at Berry Events Center. Colla scored 25 points in the game.

Mattson said the ’Cats can expect a  different Grand Valley team than the one they defeated last month.

“They’re playing better than they were when we last played them,” Mattson said. “We need to make sure we attack them on offense and step up a little more and adjust on defense in the game. We’re going to have to keep focused on our game plan and get this important win on the road.”

Grand Valley heads into the weekend with a conference record of 8-7, 10-9 overall. The Lakers lost their last three games, with their most recent, 78-76, loss at home to the Wayne State Warriors. The Lakers are led in scoring by Dani Crandall and sophomore guard/forward Bailey Cairnduff, both averaging double-digit points per game.

The Wildcats travel to Big Rapids to take on the Ferris State Bulldogs at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at Jim Wink Arena. The ’Cats fell to the Bulldogs, 69-61, on Saturday, Jan. 18 at home. Colla led the ’Cats in scoring with 27 points in the loss.

Senior guard Sarah DeShone leads the Ferris State offense, averaging 18.2 points per game. The Bulldogs come in with a 6-7 conference record, 6-9 overall. Ferris lost their most recent game in Detroit, 88-83, to the Wayne State Warriors. The Bulldogs’ last game against Saginaw Valley State on Saturday, Feb. 1 was canceled.

Colla said the team will need to come in with more strength if they’re going to beat Ferris State the second time around.

“We need to make sure we’re rebounding more against Ferris this time around,” Colla said. “We’ve been getting a little lazy or tired when our guards are coming in, so we just have to be stronger, mentally and physically heading in. We always play close games with Ferris, and we’re going to have to head into the tough environment. I know we’ll show up ready to play.”