This story was written by NMU Sports Information

RENSSELAER, Ind. — The Northern Michigan University women's basketball team rebounded with an 81-69 victory over Wisconsin-Parkside at the Puma Thanksgiving Basketball Classic Saturday afternoon.

With 7:23 remaining in regulation, the Wildcats held a slim 52-50 lead. They ultimately outscored the Rangers, 29-19, the rest of the way to move to 5-2 on the season.

Wisconsin-Parkside pulled within four points at the 5:40 mark of the fourth quarter, but Northern Michigan responded with an 8-2 run and then drained 15 free throws the rest of the way to ice the game.

In the first quarter, the Rangers raced out to an 11-2 lead by the 5:01 mark. The Wildcats answered with a 9-0 run, highlighted by a Tess Weatherly three-point shot, to tie the game with 2:08 to play in the frame. But Wisconsin-Parkside regrouped and extended its lead up to 20-14 going into the second quarter.

By 5:43 of the second quarter, the Rangers led, 26-15. The Wildcats clawed back into the game, using a 13-0 run to take a 28-26 advantage with 2:10 to play. That run was highlighted by three Erin Honkala layups.

The teams traded points the rest of the way, and Wisconsin-Parkside entered the half ahead, 31-30.

In the third quarter, Northern Michigan built a 50-45 lead with 1:48 remaining, but Blair Arthur sank a three-point shot with 1:08 to play to cut the Rangers' deficit to two.

Bre Gaspervich led all players with 18 points. Darby Youngstrom had a double-double with 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Chloe Tompkins (12) and Honkala (12) also reached the double digits in points. 

Northern Michigan shot 43.8 percent from the field, 41.7 from three and 81.0 from the charity stripe. The Wildcats begin GLIAC play on Dec. 1 by facing Walsh at the Berry Events Center at 6 p.m. (LIVE on FM-100.3 in Marquette, AM-600 in Escanaba).

The following is a recap of Friday's Wildcat basketball game:

RENSSELAER, Ind.---The Northern Michigan University women's basketball team suffered a 60-44 loss to host Saint Joseph's at the Puma Thanksgiving Basketball Classic Friday afternoon in Indiana.
 

The third quarter proved to be the difference in the game, as the Pumas outscored the Wildcats by a 21-7 margin to build a 47-30 advantage. While Northern Michigan began to battle back in the fourth quarter, time wasn't on its side.

At the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats led, 14-10. Bre Gaspervich contributed six of Northern Michigan's points, draining a layup, jumper and two free throws.

In the second quarter, Saint Joseph's tied the game at 14 with 8:23 remaining and then took a 16-14 edge on its next possession. But Northern Michigan responded, regaining a 19-16 advantage with 6:31 remaining on a Chloe Tompkins three-point shot and a Darby Youngstrom layup.

But the Pumas scored a three-point shot of their own with 6:13 on the clock to tie the game and then took a 21-19 advantage on a jumper after they maintained possession with an offensive rebound.

With 29 seconds left in the half, a Rolanda Curington jumper gave Saint Joesph's a 26-20 lead. But Gaspervich answered with a long three-point shot with just three seconds left to pull the Wildcats within one three-point shot going into the locker room.

The Pumas began to take control of the game in the final 4:24 of the third quarter, holding Northern Michigan pointless while scoring 10 points of their own.

The Wildcats ultimately outscored Saint Joseph's, 14-13, in the final frame but couldn't overcome the deficit built in the third quarter.

Gaspervich led all players with 19 points. She also tied for second on Northern Michigan with four boards. Youngstrom led the Wildcats with five rebounds.

The teams were even in points in the paint (18) and fast break points (4). Northern Michigan shot 38.1 percent from the field and just 18.8 from beyond the three-point arc.

The Pumas shot 43.8 percent from three-point range.

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 4-2. They continue play in the Puma Thanksgiving Basketball Classic tomorrow, taking on Wisconsin-Parkside at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WUPT-FM (100.3 The Point) and on WCHT-AM (NewsTalk 600) in Escanaba. It will also be streamed on-line at www.radioresultsnetwork.com.