Northern Michigan University's Dylan Kuehl, top, reaches above Ferris State defender Mykel Bingham to make a dunk in their GLIAC basketball game played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team takes a break from GLIAC action over the holidays, but these Wildcats won’t be resting as they host a pair of NCAA Division III foes over the next five days.

NMU hosts Lawrence University of Appleton, Wisconsin, at 7 p.m. today at the Berry Events Center, then entertains Finlandia of Hancock at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Wildcats also travel to play at former GLIAC member Northwood on Jan. 2 before returning to conference play later that week.

Northern is 8-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference as it has scored at least 85 points in all three GLIAC wins — an 85-77 victory at Purdue Northwest on Dec. 1, an 89-77 triumph over Ferris State at home on Friday and an 87-72 win over Lake Superior State at the BEC on Sunday.

Their loss was a 76-68 setback at Wisconsin-Parkside on Dec. 3. The Rangers (9-2 overall) lead the league with a 4-0 mark, the only unblemished record in the GLIAC.

The Wildcats have scored 90 points in three other wins, including a 100-93 victory over McKendree to open the season on Nov. 12. They also downed Minnesota-Crookston 97-81 at home on Nov. 17 and Concordia-St. Paul 90-86 at home on Nov. 18.

Overall, NMU is averaging 81.9 points per game and shooting 47.7% from the field.

In five weeks of the season so far, Northern’s Max Bjorklund has won Player of the Week three times, including this past week after scoring a total of 41 points in NMU’s two league wins.

Bjorklund has lived up to his GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year billing, leading the league in scoring by nearly 4 1/2 points at 21.9 points per game, which also ranks him ninth nationally in NCAA Division II.

Lawrence (5-5), a member of the Midwest Conference, averages 65.6 ppg while shooting 44.0% from the floor as Adnan Sarancic paces the Vikings with 13.4 ppg and 8.3 rebounds a contest.

Finlandia (2-7) is a member of the Coast-to-Coast Conference and scoring 74.3 ppg while allowing 90.3 and shooting 37.6% as a team.

Seven Upper Peninsula residents are listed on the Lions’ roster, including senior Luke Mattson of Negaunee and sophomore Logan Depew of Newberry. Both have seen limited minutes while playing in just about every game.

Finlandia is coached by Allen Dehority, who previously was the sports information director at NMU.

Ilrick Higgins-Moise leads Finlandia with 12.8 ppg and 6.4 rebounds.

Fans can follow these Wildcats @NMUMensBBall and @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continual updates.

Both games will be broadcast on radio station WUPT 100.3 FM The Point, while online information is available at NMU’s sports website at nmuwildcats.com under the men’s basketball schedule that includes audio, live statistics, ticket information, game previews and a history of the teams’ series.

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