Northern Michigan University’s Jordan Perez takes a shot with Davenport’s Zack Neiuwkoop looking for a rebound Thursday evening at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

Saturday’s games: NMU basketball teams close out regular season at home against Wayne State; men’s game, 1 p.m.; women’s game, 3 p.m.; Radio: WUPT 100.3 FM

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MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team inched closer to clinching a GLIAC Tournament home quarterfinal game by picking up a 77-73 win over Davenport University at the Berry Events Center on Thursday night.

NMU junior guard Naba Echols led all scorers with 26 points as the Wildcats improved to 15-11 overall and 12-7 in league.

Northern is tied with Saturday’s home opponent, Wayne State, for third place overall in the GLIAC as the top four teams get home court for the tourney’s opening round. Two more squads, Michigan Tech and Ashland, are a game back of NMU and WSU.

While the Wildcats are Warriors are duking it out for third on Saturday, Tech will host Davenport and Ashland hosts ninth-place Northwood.

On Thursday, NMU head coach Bill Sall said first-half struggles made his team earn the win against a team out of the running for the conference tourney at 12-15 overall and 6-13 in the GLIAC.

“We really had to battle, it looked like Davenport was a team that was making the GLIAC Tournament and we were just playing our last two games of the year,” he said. “We played flat, no energy, and I was really just disappointed in an entire half of basketball.”

The final 20 minutes were a strong half for the Wildcats, which Sall pointed out has been a theme for his team this season.

“Then we came out in the second half and competed hard,” he said. “I think it was the fifth time we’ve had to come from double-digit figures (down) to win, and you can’t keep doing that, especially against good teams. So we’ve got to figure that out.”

NMU took the initial lead on a DU defensive breakdown as Wildcats sophomore forward Will Carius drove to the basket and put home a massive slam dunk, energizing the BEC crowd early.

After that, it was all Panthers. Jumping out by as many as 11 points on a triple from DU sophomore forward Robbie Bramhill to make the game 23-12, the Wildcats never saw the lead again until the second half. The Panthers led 42-33 at the break.

About 6 1/2 minutes into the second half, NMU finally got the lead back on a layup from junior guard Isaiah Johnson, making it 48-47.

After that, neither team led by more than five points as the Wildcats didn’t take the lead for good until 29 seconds remained.

That’s when Carius sunk two free throws to break a 73-73 tie. Echols and sophomore teammate Sam Taylor each added a free throw at the end to seal the victory.

Echols said playing a tight game against a struggling Davenport team was due to looking too far ahead.

“I really think we overlooked this team,” he said. “Right now they’re not playing for anything, and we’re playing for seeding for the (GLIAC) tournament.

“That’s a lesson learned not to underestimate anyone. I think we were looking forward to Saturday because Wayne State is in third place and that’s what we want to get right now.”

Johnson added 23 points and two assists for the Wildcats, while Carius had 14 points and eight rebounds.

Email Ryan Spitza at sports@miningjournal.net.