ASHLAND, Ohio – Coach Bill Sall’s visiting Northern Michigan University men’s basketball team fell just shy of upsetting No. 21-ranked Ashland Thursday night, dropping an 81-75 GLIAC decision in overtime.

In the extra session, the teams traded baskets to tie the game at 70 with 3:29 left.

A Kenny Williams free throw with 28 seconds remaining brought the Wildcats to within three. But Ashland nailed three free throws in the final 27 seconds to snuff NMU’s upset bid.

Northern’s Donnell Cegers posted a team-high 25 points, his best mark as a Wildcat, while Jordan Perez added 22 and Terry Nash contributed 11.

Alex Mustert pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.

In the first half, a Williams jump shot highlighted a five-point run that gave the Wildcats (4-7 overall, 2-5 GLIAC) a 16-8 advantage with 11:57 to play.

Ashland cut the Wildcat lead to two points, 21-19, by the 7:22 mark, but Northern answered by scoring on back-to-back possessions to take a six-point edge, 25-19.

NMU ultimately headed into the half with a 36-30 lead.

With 15:48 left in regulation, the Wildcats held a nine-point edge, 43-34, following a 5-0 run highlighted by a Cegers jump shot.

After Ashland pulled within one, Northern responded with an 8-0 run highlighted by two Perez 3-pointers and a Cegers layup that put the Wildcats in front, 54-45, with 9:25 remaining.

NMU went on a 7-0 run late in regulation, highlighted by a Marcus Hall jump shot, to take a 65-58 lead with 1:16 to go.

Ashland responded with a clutch free throw and a layup with 17 seconds remaining to send the game into OT.

The Wildcats remain on the road with a game at Lake Erie at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Information compiled by Senior Sports Writer Craig Remsburg. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 251, or via email at cremsburg@miningjournal.net.