Northern Michigan University’s Erin Honkala, left, plays keep-away from Michigan Tech defender Abbie Botz during their GLIAC women’s basketball game played at the Huskies’ SDC Gym on Sunday. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo by David Archambeau)

HOUGHTON — Cold shooting — and a lack of free throws — doomed the Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team in their first rivalry game of the season against Michigan Tech on Sunday.

The Wildcats shot just 22 percent from the field, including 14 percent on 3-pointers, as the Huskies prevailed 68-28 at Tech’s SDC Gym. Free throws didn’t help out, either, as Northern was just 2 of 3 at the line.

Emily Mueller led NMU scorers with six points even though she made just 2 of 9 from the field.

Teammate Jessica Schultz grabbed eight rebounds to lead Northern in that department as she and Elena Alaix each scored five points. Schultz also blocked two shots and made two steals.

NMU committed 21 turnovers, though that number didn’t look so bad compared to Tech’s 15 as the Huskies made 12 steals.

Cassidy Trotter led MTU with 23 points, seven steals and two blocks as she shared a game-high of four assists. Huskies’ teammate Abbie Botz scored 13 points but also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds

Tech built modest leads of 12-7 and 20-12 after each of the first two quarters before putting the game away in the third, outscoring NMU 22-2 for a 42-14 lead entering the fourth.

The Wildcats get some holiday practice time as they won’t play again until they host Ashland on Jan. 2.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.