Great Lakes Wire

For the second consecutive season, the Northern Michigan University (NMU) women's basketball team has advanced in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats secured a 61-56 victory over the Hillsdale Chargers in the Midwest Region's 3-6 matchup. With this win, NMU moves on to face No. 2 Ashland on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Allendale.

This marks the 15th occasion this season that NMU's defense has held opponents to under 60 points. Despite trailing by six points in the first quarter, NMU tightened their defense, allowing only 15 points across the second and third quarters as Hillsdale shot just 7-29 (24.1%).

"I trusted our defense and I think our team defense in that second and third quarter was really good," said head coach Casey Thousand. "It took heart, energy, and effort today, and we needed a full team effort to get the job done."

Key players for NMU included Mackenzie Holzwart with 13 points and crucial free throws towards the end of the game. She also contributed eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Alyssa Hill achieved a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds while Abi Fraaza added ten rebounds and eight points.

Alyssa Nimz scored nine points with five rebounds and led her team with three steals; Jacy Weisbrod scored twelve points while Sarah Newcomer blocked three shots.

The Wildcats' shooting percentage was 21-58 (36.2%) from the field and they were successful on seven out of twenty-six attempts from beyond the arc (26.9%). Meanwhile, Hillsdale shot 20-63 (31.7%) overall but struggled from three-point range after an initial strong start.

At a record of 23-8 for this season, Friday's victory represents Northern Michigan's fifteenth overall NCAA Tournament win—the eleventh during an opening round—and offers them an opportunity to achieve multiple tournament victories for only fourth time historically within their program.

In their upcoming match against Ashland—who defeated Ferris State by twelve points—NMU will vie for advancement into Sweet Sixteen round at Saturday’s game scheduled at five o'clock pm local time.