When the Wildcats can shoot the basketball, there are few teams in the country that can keep pace with their offense filled with playmakers and shot creators. Feb. 12 was not one of those nights however, as the ‘Cats only managed to connect on just over one three per quarter against the Wayne State Warriors. In frames one, two, and four, Northern went 1-13 behind the line as a team, only saved by their 5-10 mark in the third quarter to finish the contest 6-23, shooting under 30% for a 26.1% mark. While the Wildcats were able to squeak out the advantage on the boards 44-40, a 17 turnover affair — tied for the most in a game this season — did not help the battle.

“Our defense was not where it was or where it needs to be. I think the biggest thing is prepping for each game and making sure that you’re ready to go,” said head coach Casey Thousand. “We reevaluated our team and we have to act like every game is March right now. You got to show up and you got to play hard, and we can’t have another oops.”

WSU pounced on NMU as revenge for what happened the last time the two teams met, a 91-71 win for Northern on Jan. 24. Both Taylor Thompson and McKenna Ferguson managed to get over the 20 point hill for the Warriors, while just two Wildcats went past the double digit barrier in CJ Romero and Sydney Whitehouse. Romero was the only player for NMU to shoot at least 50% from the field, and the unit went 26-72 from the floor.

While the ‘Cats would manage to double Wayne State’s offensive rebounds 14-7, the Warriors made the most of their opportunities from the field and from the line, going 31-62 on field goals and 20-30 from the charity stripe. Poor defense plagued NMU all night long as they committed 21 personal fouls, and allowed Wayne State to score 52 points from short range.

The loss continues the skid in the GLIAC rankings for the Green and Gold, as they now sit at fourth behind Wayne State. The Wildcats look to right the ship before the GLIAC tournament, currently at 20-5 on the season. NMU will get three more games of the season at home before the conference tournament kicks off, a rivalry clash with Michigan Tech on Feb. 19, and then tilts with Roosevelt and Parkside Feb. 26 and 28, respectively.