The Northern Michigan University men's basketball team began its 2025-26 season with a decisive 91-70 win over Maryville University on Friday in Wisconsin Dells. The Wildcats displayed strong teamwork, with five players scoring in double digits. Dylan Kuehl and Charlie Miller each scored 16 points, while Isaiah Allen contributed 13 points in his first game for NMU. Jackson Dudek added 11 points and Bennett Basich finished with 10.
The Wildcats shot efficiently, making just over half of their field goal attempts (30-for-59) and hitting 61.9% from three-point range (13-for-21). Seven different players made at least one three-pointer, with Miller leading the team by making four shots from beyond the arc. Allen was perfect from deep, converting all three of his attempts.
Northern Michigan led for nearly the entire game, holding an advantage for more than 94% of play and leading by as many as 27 points. The team also had a significant edge in assists, finishing with a 15-4 advantage over Maryville. Basich and Cal Klesmit each recorded four assists.
NMU's bench outscored Maryville's reserves by a margin of 29-9. The Wildcats improved to a record of 1-0 for the season and have now won six out of seven games played over three seasons at Wisconsin Dells.
The game opened with Dylan Kuehl assisting Jackson Dudek for the first basket of the season. Early three-pointers from Dudek and Allen helped NMU take an early lead. By halftime, Northern Michigan led 44-27 after shooting over 51% from the field and making eight threes in the opening period.
In the second half, NMU maintained control as multiple players reached double figures in scoring. A brief run by Maryville narrowed the gap before another key three-pointer from Basich restored momentum for NMU.
Newcomers Ross Robertson and Brooks Hinson scored their first career points during the second half, while Allen capped his debut performance with a putback dunk.
The Wildcats will conclude their opening weekend at Wisconsin Dells on Saturday against Missouri-St. Louis, who won their own opening game against Michigan Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
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