This year, the NMU women’s basketball team got the chance to play in the Women’s Basketball NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats won their first-round matchup in the tournament, but their championship campaign fell short in the round of 32.

First the team played Hillsdale, where the team fought hard and got the win, advancing them into the second round of the tournament. The final score of the first game against Hillsdale was 61-56. 

The game was close through all four quarters, with no more than a six-point lead either way at the end of each quarter.

Standout players from this game included guard Mackenzie Holzwart, who came away with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.  Junior Jaci Weisbrod had 12 points and 7 rebounds in the win as well. Fellow junior, Alyssa Hill, put up 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 assist. 

After the win, the team set their sights on the next round of the tournament where they were set to take on Ashland. Unfortunately, the Wildcats fell to Ashland, 68-45. Freshman Sydney Whitehouse had 6 points and 2 rebounds. Senior Abi Fraaza had 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 assist. Lastly, junior Sarah Newcomer, had 9 points and 2 rebounds.

With this loss, the team was officially out of the tournament, and their 2024-25 season came to an end. The team ended their season 23-9 overall on the season and 15-5 in the GLIAC Conference. 

The Wildcats will be back in the fall. Until then, it has been a great year for women’s basketball here at Northern. Go Wildcats!