Northern Michigan University's Mackenzie Holzwart dribbles during the Wildcas' game against Grand Valley State played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Thursday. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — It seemed like it would be a simple proposition for the Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team — hold the opposition under 50 points and it’s a ready-made recipe for success.

Especially when scoring 15 points in both the first and fourth quarters.

But the middle two quarters were particularly dry on offense as nationally ranked Grand Valley State eked out a 45-38 victory at the Berry Events Center on Thursday night.

There’s a reason the Lakers are 17-1 overall and a perfect 8-0 in the GLIAC — they not only have players who are usually good shooters, but one of the top 10 scoring defenses in NCAA Division II that gives them the biggest point differential in the nation.

They put that on display by holding the Wildcats (10-7, 5-3) to 27% shooting from the floor (14 of 52) and just 20% on 3-pointers (3 of 15).

But NMU helped themselves when they got to the free-throw line, making 7 of 8 (88%).

The game’s leading scorer, Northern’s Mackenzie Holzwart, was indicative of that. Her 12 points included making all six of her free throw attempts, but she only went 3 of 12 from the field, including 0 of 3 on triples.

She did make three steals as NMU’s regular leading scorer, Makaylee Kuhn, was held to nine points, though she also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

Teammate Taya Stevenson added seven points, five rebounds and three steals.

The Lakers were led by Ellie Droste with just 10 points to go with six rebounds. Her teammate Paige Vanstee added eight points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Northern got off to a fast start, holding the lead for almost the entire first quarter, including at 9-2 following Holzwart, Ana Rhude, Kuhn and Kayla Tierney baskets, with Tierney’s being a triple.

The Lakers grabbed a lead briefly in the period’s final two minutes, though NMU was back on top 15-13 entering the second.

Northern again led for much of the quarter No. 2, though a late Lakers spurt gave them a 23-21 halftime advantage.

Then the offense went off the rails for NMU in the third. Four straight missed shots and a couple turnovers in the first three minutes allowed the visitors to open up a 27-21 lead.

The Wildcats got back within four on a couple Holzwart free throws with 6:53 left, but those proved to be the only points NMU would pocket in the entire 10-minute period.

Without the Lakers doing a whole lot either on offense, Northern had to feel fortunate to only be down 30-23 entering the final quarter.

After a quick GVSU bucket pushed its lead to nine, NMU charged back with a 3 by Tierney and jumper by Kuhn in the span of 59 seconds to get within 32-28 with 7:27 remaining.

But that would be as close as the home team would get, and even though they kept the deficit in single digits, they couldn’t mount a good enough charge to hand GVSU its second loss of the season.

The Wildcats, who remained in fourth place in the GLIAC, can make a move up when they entertain 1-7 Davenport at 3 p.m. today.

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