Northern Michigan University’s Dylan Kuehl, right, drives to the basket on Grand Valley State defender Ethan Alderink during their GLIAC Tournament semifinal men’s basketball game played at the Berry Events Center in Marquette on Saturday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — The 11 o’clock news would have to be put on hold for the Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team as that time Sunday night was reserved for when the Wildcats and other teams across the country would find out their fate in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The Wildcats had a chance to insure a spot in the nationals by winning the GLIAC Tournament at home over the weekend, but instead NMU was knocked out in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon when tourney No. 4 seed Grand Valley State scored a 92-77 victory over the league’s regular-season champion.

The Lakers (16-15) wouldn’t get the automatic berth, either, as No. 3 seed Ferris State (25-7) scored an 87-76 victory in the finals on Sunday afternoon at the Berry.

Now all the GLIAC contenders — except tourney champion Ferris — had to wait till late-night Sunday to see who would earn at-large spots in the nationals.

On Saturday, NMU took its final lead at 68-67 with 8:05 left following a Max Weisbrod short jump shot. The Wildcats had fallen behind early in the second half, but never by more than two possessions that gave them a solid shot at getting back the lead.

The new lead lasted barely 20 seconds, though, before GV’s Ethan Alderink made a layup and with two free throws sunk by teammate William Dunn about a minute later, the Lakers took a 74-68 advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

Northern got back within three points, 78-75, on a Brian Parzych 3-pointer with 4:17 left, but GV went on a 10-0 run to re-establish an 88-75 bulge with just 1:30 left following a layup by Marquette Senior High School graduate Marius Grazulis.

The Lakers kept a double-digit lead for the remaining time.

Weisbrod led all scorers with 24 points as he made 4 of 9 triples and both his free throw attempts, adding in four assists.

Parzych and teammate Sam Schultz each contributed 13 points, Parzych hitting a pair of 3s and Schultz tying the team high with five rebounds.

Dylan Kuehl contributed eight points along with four assists and five rebounds, while Carson Smith and Sam Privet each scored seven points, Privet also grabbing five rebounds.

Grazulis finished with an efficient 14 points, making 5 of 6 shots from the field and 4 of 6 free throws, while adding in two blocked shots.

Dunn came off the bench to lead GVSU scorers with 23 points as he sank 5 of 7 triples and 4 of 4 free throws, while Britain Harris had 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Northern lead for almost the entire first half — the exception being when the Lakers tied it 12-12 for 19 seconds early on — with NMU’s high-water mark a 31-21 lead at the exact midpoint of the half after a Brandon Trilli trey.

Settling for a 49-42 advantage at halftime, Northern held the lead for about three minutes to start the second half as Grazulis tied the game 51-51 with 16:40 to go on a layup.

The Lakers kept the lead continuously for another 8 1/2 minutes until Weisbrod gave NMU a brief edge going down the stretch.

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