Though the Wildcats have an all-time record of 25-23 vs. the Bulldogs, they’ve had a tough go of it more recently, having lost three of their last four and six of their last eight vs. UMD.

Northern trailed from the start, Duluth scoring the first points on a layup by Claire Bjorge 70 seconds in and building leads of 6-0 and 20-11, finally taking a 25-15 lead after one quarter and 43-26 at halftime.

The Wildcats (6-1) got as close as four points during the third quarter, 48-44, after an Alyssa Hill layup with 2:23 left, but UMD still held a 55-49 edge headed to the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs (2-2) rebuilt the lead into double digits, 65-54, with 6:43 left and never saw their lead slip under nine points the rest of the way.

Northern Michigan University’s Addison Pytleski gets triple-teamed as she drives to the net during a college women’s basketball game played against Minnesota-Duluth at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)

NMU’s Jacy Weisbrod led all scorers with 23 points, making three 3-pointers and adding three assists and three rebounds. With her taking 11 triple attempts, Northern made just 25% from long range (5 of 20) while Duluth hit 56.3% there (9 of 16).

Despite the Bulldogs committing almost twice as many turnovers, 17-9, UMD had an edge on the boards, 38-28.

The Wildcats’ Addison Pytleski added 15 points, including 6 of 8 free throws, and didn’t commit a turnover in 22 minutes court time.

Teammate Sydney Whitehouse scored eight points and share team rebounding honors with four, while CJ Romeo topped NMU with six assists and two steals.

Bjorge paced Duluth with 20 points as Myra Moorjani and Lexi Karge each had 19.

Northern Michigan University’s Reide Osterman, left, drives to the net while defended by Minnesota-Duluth's Vanessa Bickford during their college women’s basketball game played at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Friday. Osterman is a Baraga High School graduate. (Photo courtesy of Cara Kamps)

With this being Northern’s last home game until a date with Northwood at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Wildcats play an unusual series at Minnesota-Crookston right after Thanksgiving, facing the Golden Eagles at 1 p.m. EST on both Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29-30.

Minn.-Duluth 85, NMU 70

Friday at Vandament Arena

Summary (field goals, free throws, total points)

MINNESOTA-DULUTH — Bjorge 8-2-20, Moorjani 4-8-19, Karge 7-5-19, M. Counts 4-0-9, Bickford 1-0-3, G. Counts 4-1-11, Fritz 0-2-2, Jusczak 1-0-2. Totals 29-18-85.

Northern Michigan University’s Jacy Weisbrod, center, goes up for a shot in the first quarter against Minnesota-Duluth's Claire Bjorge during their college women’s basketball game played at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Weisbrod 10-0-23, Pytleski 4-6-15, Hill 3-0-6, Newcomer 2-0-4, Romero 1-0-3, Whitehouse 4-0-8, Schroeder 2-1-5, Schmittdiel 1-2-4, Walder 1-0-2. Totals 28-9-70.

Score by quarters:

Minnesota-Duluth 25 18 12 30 — 85

Northern Michigan 15 11 23 21 — 70

FG shooting: Minn.-Duluth 29 of 51 (56.9 percent), NMU 28 of 67 (41.8 percent); 3-point shooting: Minn.-Duluth of 9 of 16 (56.3 percent), NMU 5 of 20 (25 percent); FT shooting: Minn.-Duluth 18 of 21 (85.7 percent), NMU of 9 of 15 (60 percent); Rebounding, Minn.-Duluth 38 (Lexi Karge 8), NMU 28 (Sydney Whitehouse and Madison Schroeder 4 each); Assists, Minn.-Duluth 17 (3 players with 3 each), NMU 17 (CJ Romero 6); Steals, Minn.-Duluth 4 (4 players with 1 each), NMU 6 (Romero 2); Turnovers, Minn.-Duluth 17, NMU 9.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the game. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.