MARQUETTE – Naba Echols scored Northern Michigan University’s final half-dozen points as the Wildcats held on to defeat Northwood 73-70 in men’s basketball action at the Berry Events Center on Saturday afternoon.

With NMU leading 67-64, Echols made a pair of free throws with a minute remaining, a layup with 33 seconds left and two more free throws with 15 seconds to go to withstand several desperation 3-pointers by the Timberwolves in the game’s final 7 seconds.

It would’ve been the third three-point play in the final minute for Northwood after Dylan Langkabel made a layup and subsequent free throw, then sank a triple during the time Echols was scoring for Northern down the stretch.

The win was an impressive one for the Wildcats, who are trying to avoid having the worst record in the 16-team GLIAC. They stand 5-16 in the league and 7-18 overall.

Northwood is locked in a battle for one of the eight positions in the league’s postseason tournament, and would have all but locked up their bid with a win.

Instead, the Timberwolves are 11-10 in the GLIAC, good for a three-way tie for seventh, as they stand at 15-12 overall.

Echols share NMU scoring honors with 18 points to go with five assists and no turnovers in 37 minutes of play. Teammate Donnell Cegers also had 18 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Northern’s Isaiah Johnson came off the bench to score 15 points, hitting every shot he took, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Langkabel led all scorers with 24 points.

The Wildcats led 36-28 at halftime and built the lead to 11 points twice early in the second half.

But the Timberwolves tied it 60-60 with 3:22 to go on another Weaver layup. A subsequent 6-0 push by NMU gave them the lead for good.

The Wildcats close their season at Upper Peninsula rival Michigan Tech at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

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