Rivalry games are filled to the brim with pressure. Playing in front of a home crowd adds a certain layer of pressure, especially if the matchup is a crucial late game conference clash. Both teams are also nationally ranked and tied for first place in the league. For the No. 20 Northern Michigan Wildcats a win over the No. 12 Michigan Tech Huskies, 70-64, sealed a program-defining win and cemented Dylan Keuhl as one of the best players in the GLIAC this season. Double-double Dylan was the engine to the offense for the ‘Cats, logging 23 points and 11 rebounds with four assists for good measure, alongside an opening game reverse two-hand slam. Sam Privet was the spark plug needed to keep the deep range active, adding 16 points and five rebounds on 6-9 shooting and 2-4 from behind the line.

The first half was as loud, physical and nasty as Vandament Arena has ever been. Both heavyweights traded rights and lefts, dunks and threes all half long. Neither side held more than a one possession lead for 10 minutes until a Bennett Basich three gave the Wildcats a six point advantage. A 7-0 run by NMU gave them an eight point advantage, but the lead was cut back down to just three before the ‘Cats again managed to pull away ever so slightly with a 32-24 lead heading into the break.

Into the second half, Northern continued to push the pedal through the floor, allowing Tech no space for a potential comeback. The closest the Huskies came to tying the game was a Gabe Smith fastbreak bucket with around 15 minutes to play. NMU went for the clinch straight afterwards, going on a 9-0 run to stretch the lead up to 13 points. The Wildcats were able to maintain the lead just long enough to put the game out of reach, only allowing MTU to outscore the ‘Cats 40-38 in half number two.

In addition to the high flying offense, significantly improved defense helped NMU as opposed to the last time the two teams met, a Michigan Tech 84-75 win. Alongside holding the Huskies to 20 less points, Northern also won the ever crucial rebound battle, just barely beating out MTU 39-35 on the glass.

With the win, there is now once again a three-way tie for the top of the GLIAC. NMU, MTU, and GVSU now all share a conference record of 13-4 and just a couple more games until the tournament. None of NMU, MTU or GVSU will play each other again in the regular season, and now all squads are simultaneously relying on other GLIAC members for upsets. Just two home stands are left for the Wildcats, Feb. 26 and 28 matchups against Roosevelt and Parkside, respectively.