The No. 14 ranked Northern Michigan women’s basketball team experienced both ends of the emotional spectrum over a four-day stretch, dropping a brutal home contest to No. 22 ranked Ferris State before recalibrating with a commanding road victory at Lake Superior State to remain perfect away from Marquette. The Wildcats fell 70-52 to the Bulldogs on Saturday inside the Berry Events Center, then regrouped to cruise past the Lakers 80-61 on Thursday night, showcasing their resilience and road-tested poise.
Northern was struggling to gain their footing against Ferris State, who controlled the game from warmups. The Bulldogs pounced early and carried on a decisive 13-0 run in the second quarter to seize control, pushing their lead to 27-9 and eventually stretching it to 39-15 by halftime. The Wildcats were floundering on the floor, struggling to recover from the slow start, shooting a meager 16.1 percent in the first half while committing nine turnovers. Despite battling throughout the final 20 minutes, the deficit was just too large as Ferris maintained at least a 12-point cushion the rest of the game.
Jacy Weisbrod once again provided steady leadership for Northern, spearheading the Wildcats with 16 points, continuing her consistency in conference action. Sydney Whitehouse dropped a presidential 10 points, while the Bulldogs were paced by Kadyn Blanchard’s 19. Northern finished the night shooting 28.1 percent from the field, unable to find a rhythm against the Bulldogs’ constant press defense and timely shooting.
After a crumbling defeat at home, the Wildcats hit the road, where they have been at their best all season. Thursday night in Sault Ste. Marie, Northern rekindled their energy and punched the Lakes in the mouth, rolling past Lake Superior State 80-61 in a wire-to-wire performance. The Wildcats outscored the Lakers in every quarter and propped up to a perfect 8-0 record away from home, also while extending their dominance in the series with an 11th straight win over LSSU.
The opening quarter was competitive, with the green and gold grasping a narrow 20-16 edge, but the Wildcats’ offense opened up in the second frame. NMU poured in 27 points in the quarter, building a 47-36 halftime advantage behind balanced scoring and nonstop work on the glass. Any doubt was erased early in the third quarter, as Northern scored the first six points after the break to push the lead to double digits, where it remained the rest of the night.
Freshman Faith Walder delivered a breakout performance off the bench, scoring a season-best 19 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting night. Walder was instrumental in creating separation in the second quarter, scoring 10 points in the frame, and later closed the door with seven more in the fourth. Weisbrod led all scorers with 21 points while adding nine rebounds, narrowly missing a career-high, and Jordyn Schmittdiel anchored the interior with 10 rebounds and a game-high three steals.
Northern’s dominance came from controlling the paint and the glass. The Wildcats outrebounded the Lakers 46-29, including a decisive 20-7 edge on the offensive boards, which led to a 20-5 advantage in second-chance points. NMU also scored 50 points in the paint, consistently attacking inside and wearing down Lake Superior’s defense. Sarah Newcomer added 13 points, giving the Wildcats four players in double figures on a night marked by balance and efficiency.
With the split, Northern moved to 14-3 overall and 5-2 in GLIAC play, reinforcing a familiar trend. While home games may test them, the Wildcats have been nearly unbeatable on the road. As they prepare to face Saginaw Valley State on Saturday, Northern carries momentum, confidence and a perfect road record that continues to define their season.
