Despite having just one GLIAC win this season, Davenport gave the Wildcats a good challenge before NMU prevailed 57-46.

Northern’s Makaylee Kuhn led all players with 22 points, five assists and three steals, in addition to sharing rebounding honors with teammate Mackenzie Holzwart as they each pulled down nine.

Holzwart also had 11 points as she and Kuhn combined to make 11 of 12 free throws, while teammate Vivianne Jende contributed 10 points and three rebounds, making 4 of 5 shots from the field.

Davenport was led by Lillee Gustafson with 16 points and six rebounds, though she was the only Panther to attempt any free throws, making 4 of 6.

Northern Michigan University's Kayla Tierney shoots her first 3-pointer during a GLIAC women's basketball game played against Davenport at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Saturday. (Journal photo by Alexandria Bournonville)

DU also got nine points from Jaci Walker and eight from former area player Makenna Bryant, who played varsity at Newberry High School her freshman and sophomore years before her family moved downstate. During those years, she played with her older sister, Taylor Bryant, who was an all-state player.

Bryant put up eight points, three rebounds and three assists and made just one turnover in 37 minutes playing time.

While the teams had almost identical shooting numbers from the field, NMU had a decided advantage at the line, making 16 of 22 to just 4 of 6 for Davenport. Northern also held a 37-30 rebounding edge.

Davenport won the initial tip and even started with early leads of 2-0 and 4-2. That’s about as long as the Panthers’ advantage lasted as Northern built a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Kuhn, Holzwart and Jende accounted for all of the Wildcats’ points in the period.

The teams went nearly 4 1/2 minutes to start the second quarter without a point scored. The Wildcats passed the ball around to each other, and to the crowd’s disappointment, didn’t take good opportunities to score.

By halftime, Northern added just two points to its total — on an Elena Alaix layup with 4:21 left — and could feel fortunate to still be tied 15-15.

The Wildcats reorganized at halftime, and after falling behind early in the third, pushed ahead for a 22-18 lead near the midpoint of the quarter on a short Jende jumper.

Northern then went on a 7-0 run in just 62 seconds late in the period and held a 32-25 lead entering the final quarter. Keying that spurt was a Kuhn basket and two free throws and a 3 by Alaix.

Keeping Davenport on its heels, NMU upped the lead to double digits for the first time at 38-28 with 8:02 left on a Kuhn layup as the Panthers never got closer than six points the rest of the way.

Wildcats’ coach Casey Thousand was unavailable for comment after the game.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.