Northern Michigan University's Kayla Tierney, left, and Elena Alaix, right, team up to block a shot by Finlandia's Bailey Froberg in the fourth quarter of their game played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Jan. 2. Froberg is a L'Anse High School graduate. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team is looking to build on the momentum of a 2-0 road start in the GLIAC with another pair of conference games at home this weekend.

The Wildcats host Ferris State at 7:30 p.m. today and Lake Superior State at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Berry Events Center.

NMU improved to 6-3 overall after winning out of state last weekend, beating Purdue Northwest 64-48 in Hammond, Indiana, and downing Wisconsin-Parkside 47-35 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

For their nine games this season, Northern is outscoring opponents by about eight points per game, 63.3-55.2, and holding sway in rebounding, too, 39.1-32.0.

Junior Makaylee Kuhn leads the Wildcats in both categories, averaging 14.9 points and 6.7 rebounds, while adding a team-high 27 assists to go with NMU’s second-highest totals of 10 steals and six blocked shots.

A pair of sophomore teammates are also significant contributors.

Mackenzie Holzwart is second in scoring at 8.3 ppg, third in rebounds at 4.3 rpg, second in assists with 19 and leading the team in steals with 16.

Abi Fraaza is third among Wildcats at 7.8 ppg while shooting 60 percent from the field.

Looking at today’s opponent, Ferris State, the Bulldogs are 6-1 overall and 1-1 in the GLIAC.

Chloe Idoni leads FSU in scoring at 19.0 ppg while shooting 59 percent from the field, as she also averages 7.1 rebounds a game.

Kadyn Blanchard is second in scoring at 11.0 ppg and second in rebounding at 6.0, while Mallory McCartney is third in scoring at 10.7 ppg, shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers and leads the Bulldogs in assists with 4.9 per game.

While Lake Superior State is also 1-1 in the league, the Lakers are just 2-6 overall as Mattison Rayman leads LSSU while averaging a double-double at 14.8 ppg and 12 rebounds.

Margot Woughter is second in scoring at 14.4 ppg and leads the Lakers with 3.3 assists a contest, while Grace Bradford averages 13.4 ppg, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals each game.

Fans can follow @nmu_wbball and @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continuous updates throughout the week.

Both games will be broadcast on the Wildcats’ home radio station network. Tonight’s game is on WUPZ 94.9 FM The Bay with the NMU hockey game being played simultaneously, while Sunday’s game will be on WUPT 100.3 FM The Point.

Fans can go online to the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the women’s basketball schedule for links to live statistics, video, audio, ticket information, game previews and a history of the rivalries.

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