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Wildcat men’s comeback falls short

MARQUETTE – Forwards Alex Sorenson and Chavis Mattison hit field goals in the final three minutes to pull the Northern Michigan University men within four points each time, but the Wildcats could get no closer in a 62-53 loss to Grand Valley State on Thursday night.

Playing at their home Berry Events Center, NMU slipped to 6-9 overall and 4-5 in the GLIAC North Division. The Lakers improved to 9-6 and 5-4.

In an odd set of circumstances, these North teams were playing to stay out of the division cellar, as seven of the eight teams in the North have a winning record.

Although Northern now resides in eighth place in the division, the Wildcats would be tied for first place if they were in the South.

On Thursday, Sorenson, a freshman, recorded team highs of 15 points and six rebounds, hitting 3 of 6 on 3-pointers and making both of his free throws.

Mattison added 12 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists as he made all six of his free-throw attempts.

In fact, the Wildcats were a perfect 13 of 13 at the free-throw line, but still lost ground as the Lakers made 21 of 28.

Northern junior guard Terry Nash dished out six assists while scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds, but he fouled out with 1:54 to go.

Spurred by a 3-pointer made by freshman guard Jordan Perez 50 seconds into the game, Northern led throughout the first 12 minutes, including 11-3 with 13:29 left after Sorenson sank a triple.

Then GV went on an 18-6 run to take the lead for good. Though Northern trailed the rest of the way, their deficit was never more than 11 points and was cut to two baskets twice in the late going.

The final four-point deficit came with 1:08 left when Mattison, a senior, rolled in a layup. But a trio of Lakers combined to make 5 of 6 free throws in the final 47 seconds while the Wildcats missed several 3s.

In the second half, NMU outscored the Lakers 10-2 on second-chance points and the Wildcat bench held a 23-13 scoring advantage on GV’s bench.

NMU returns to the Berry Events Center Saturday when the Wildcats host head coach Bill Sall’s former team, Ferris State, at 3 p.m.

Last season, Northern recorded a big home upset of the Bulldogs, 61-59, on this same weekend, just one of three GLIAC wins the team had in 2013-14.

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

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