Big Second Half Leads NMU Over Grand Valley St.

This story was written by NMU Sports Information. (NMU Photo)

MARQUETTE, Mich. - In a high-intensity clash on Thursday night at Vandament Arena, the Northern Michigan men's basketball team snapped a two-game skid and ended the Grand Valley State four-game winning streak by outscoring the Lakers 45-25 in the second half en route to a commanding 79-52 victory.

The Wildcats controlled all facets of the final 20 minutes, shooting 18-30 (60.0%) and 6-12 (50.0%) from beyond the arc. Dylan Kuehl scored 17 of his game-high 21 points in the second half while adding nine rebounds through the night. In his first start of the season, Jackson Dudek added 16 points and a career-high nine boards while Julien Smith (14) and Gerald Gittens Jr. (10) reached double figures as well.

The offense wasn't the only unit in rhythm in the second half as the 'Cats defense limited Grand Valley to just 10-31 (32.3%) and a 3-11 (27.3%) clip from three. NMU held a 22-12 rebound advantage in the second half and a 46-32 edge overall.

Each side committed only 10 turnovers, but NMU thoroughly took advantage of each and every one, outscoring the Lakers 18-0 off the other side's mishaps.

In total, the 'Cats shot 29-60 (48.3%) to GVSU's 18-60 (30.0%), a season-low allowed by the Green and Gold defense against its Division II competition.

Starting strong in each half plays a big role in the success a team will have for the game. NMU outscored the Lakers 12-2 in the first five minutes of the second half, but also had the hot start in the first five of the first, leading 11-3 early on. Back in the starting lineup, Gerald Gittens Jr. and Dudek played a big role early on, accounting for the first six points along with an assist and a steal in just over two minutes of work.

The Wildcats then fell in a stretch of 1-10 from the field and GVSU got back in the game, going on a 7-0 run to make it 15-13 halfway through the opening half. A few minutes later, the Lakers grabbed its one and only lead of the night, 25-24, with 3:45 ahead of halftime.

A Gittens Jr. and-one kickstarted a 10-2 close to the first half as Northern carried a 34-27 edge into the locker room. NMU shot 11-30 (36.7%) in the half while limiting the Lakers to 8-29 (27.6%). Dudek led the way with nine points on 4-6 from the floor.

Julien Smith was off on two threes to start the second half, but as shooters do, kept his head in it, immediately forcing a turnover then nailing a corner triple for the first points of the second half. NMU opened the half on a 12-2 run and led 46-29 with 15 minutes to play.

That's when the Kuehl takeover began its course. The NMU forward scored nine points with a big block over a four minute stretch as Northern continued to pull away. As tempers flared with 12:14 to play that resulted in a few technical fouls, the 'Cats scored the first five after the small scrum and led 56-34 with 11:40 to go.

The foot stayed on the gas for the remainder of the half. Another 11-0 run which included a Kuehl driving dunk and a Klesmit three pushed the lead to 73-41 with five minutes remaining. Northern held its largest lead of the night at 76-43 at 4:29.

With the victory, the Wildcats are now 13-6 overall and 7-4 in conference play. The Lakers four-game winning streak came to an end as they fell to 10-9 and 6-5 in the GLIAC.