The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team huddles up during a game earlier this season played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — Even without the geographical rivalry, Saturday’s women’s basketball game between Northern Michigan University and Michigan Tech would prove an attractive matchup.

These longtime Upper Peninsula rivals are often vying at or near the top of the GLIAC standings, and this time around is no exception for a game that will be telecast on Fox-U.P. at 3 p.m. Saturday from Northern’s Berry Events Center.

Both the Wildcats and Huskies are 5-1 in league games, a half-game behind 5-0 league leader Grand Valley State, as NMU has a 10-5 overall record and MTU is 13-3.

The Huskies are nationally ranked at No. 21 as both U.P. teams went downstate last week and swept Wayne State and Saginaw Valley State in a return to GLIAC action after their holiday breaks.

Interestingly, Northern won both its games 56-52, the Wildcats needing overtime to win at Wayne State and taking it in regulation at SVSU.

Against the Warriors in Detroit on Jan. 5, Taya Stevenson and Makaylee Kuhn each scored 10 points as NMU cleaned up the glass quite well, totaling nearly as many rebounds — 53 — as points. A half-dozen Wildcats had at least five caroms led by Kuhn and Mackenzie Holzwart with eight apiece.

After neither team scored for almost the final three minutes of regulation, Ana Rhude got Northern off to a good start in OT with the first three points as the Wildcats wouldn’t give up the lead again.

Against the Cardinals at University Center on Saturday, NMU needed a late scoring outburst to garner that victory, nailing the game’s final 11 points to erase a 52-45 deficit about halfway through the fourth quarter.

Kuhn reassumed her role as Northern scoring leader with 17 points vs. SVSU, including a 5-for-5 day at the free throw line. Holzwart pitched in 16 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, while Sarah Newcomer added 12 points with three 3-pointers.

NMU averages 62.5 points per game while holding opponents to 57 ppg. Kuhn averages team highs of 15.4 ppg and 7.5 rebounds a contest, while Holzwart is at 9.2 ppg and 5.5 rebounds while also leading the team in steals with 26.

Northern is ranked a modest 10th in the Midwest Regional poll as Tech is fourth.

MTU averages 73.0 ppg and leads the GLIAC in free throw shooting at 79.2%.

Senior guard Ellie Mackay leads the Huskies at 13.7 ppg with sophomore Isabella Lenz is right with her at 13.4 ppg.

Follow these Wildcats @nmu_wbball and @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continuous updates, or visit the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com under the women’s basketball schedule for video, live statistics, audio, game previews and history between the teams.

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