For teams that lose by double digits the previous contests, winning that next one makes it all the more satisfying. Usually teams don’t win that next one by 25, but not if you’re a Wildcat. There was no love or affection in Hammond, Ind. on Valentine’s Day, as NMU stomped out any hopes of a date with a win for the Purdue Northwest Pride. While PNW was able to keep it within one at the end of the first, especially poor second and fourth quarters from the Pride spelled out a W for the Wildcats.

“This is crazy to think, I still think we’re improving and getting better, and still have things that we need to work on and do better,” said head coach Casey Thousand.

While Northern didn’t have a significantly better day behind the triple line as compared to last game’s affair with Wayne State, a much improved efficiency from all field goals gave NMU the advantage. The Wildcats went 34-71 as a team, 26.1% better as opposed to the loss against the Warriors. Three of NMU’s five starters crossed the 10 point line, and Addison Pytelski fell just short with nine. Alyssa Hill led all scorers with an efficient 19 points in 19 minutes and chipped in five rebounds. Jacy Weisbrod had a much improved outing, scoring 12 points for NMU, all coming on triples.

Also much improved for Northern was the defensive side of the ball, holding Purdue Northwest to under 60 and only allowing one scorer wearing a PNW jersey to go over double digits, with Alyssa Cole leading the Pride with 18. Cole was also the only member of her unit to connect on more than three baskets, as the Pride went 23-54 on all shots and 4-16 from three-point land.

The Wildcats followed up a season high 17 turnovers last game with a season low four against Purdue Northwest, playing much cleaner basketball. That efficiency helped NMU late into a close game, pulling away from a 38-29 halftime lead into a 60-46 hold over the Pride heading into the final frame. The ‘Cats will celebrate not just the 21st win of the 2025-26 campaign, but Casey Thousand’s 200th collegiate win into a home tilt with much-hated Michigan Tech on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Northern will then have a quick turnaround for Saturday, packing the buses for Ferris State and the possible final meeting between the two squads for the season in Big Rapids.