The Northern Michigan University women's basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a pair of wins at a tournament in Erie, Pennslvania. The Wildcats stunned fifth-ranked Gannon University, 60-58, Saturday night, after topping California University (Pa), 66-57, on Friday. The 'Cats will play a third game Sunday afternoon against Edinboro (Pa.).
SATURDAY GAME RECAP VIA NMU SPORTS INFORMATION
ERIE, Pa. – The Northern Michigan women's basketball team earned a statement early-season victory on Saturday night, stunning No. 5 Gannon 60-58 in a thrilling finish at the CCA Tip-Off Classic.
The Wildcats set the tone early, jumping out to a 20-16 lead after the first quarter and maintaining a 35-33 edge at halftime. Northern came out firing in the second half, quickly extending the margin to double digits before taking a 50-43 lead into the fourth. The 'Cats led by as many as 12 in the final frame before withstanding a late Gannon surge and locking down defensively in the final seconds to seal the upset on the road.
All 10 Wildcats who saw the floor also found the scoresheet, led by Jacy Weisbrod's 16 points on an efficient 5-for-9 (55.6%) shooting night. Sarah Newcomer added nine points on three triples, while Alyssa Hill chipped in eight points and a team-high five boards. Gannon was paced by Bri Claxon, who scored 14 points.
Northern shot 19-for-48 (39.6%) from the floor and made a difference from beyond the arc, going 7-for-13 (53.8%). The Golden Knights also hit seven threes, but on 28 attempts for a 25.0% clip. The Wildcats controlled the glass 39-32 and dominated second-chance points 15-5.
After Gannon knocked off No. 2 Union on Friday, the Wildcats handed the hosts a dose of their own medicine, taking down a team fresh off its own top-five victory.
The win also marked Northern's first victory over a top-five opponent since March 16, 2019, when the Wildcats upset No. 4 Ashland 64-57 in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional quarterfinals.
With the victory, Northern improves to 2-0 and secures a statement result in the early going of the 2025-26 season.
FRIDAY GAME RECAP VIA NMU SPORTS INFORMATION
EDINBORO, Pa. – In a close match with the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans, the Northern Michigan women's basketball team came out victorious in their first game of the season, 66-57.
The score became tied at multiple points during the game, and each team possessed a double-digit lead. Northern secured the game's key run, an 11-0 stretch in the fourth quarter to widen a 51-50 lead to 62-50.
Jacy Weisbrod tallied 18 points with four triples and led the Wildcats with three steals. Sydney Whitehouse added 18 points of her own, tying her career-high from late last season. Sarah Newcomer also added nine points to the Wildcat score while Alyssa Hill tallied eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds. She led a dominant effort on the glass in which NMU held a 40-21 advantage and a 20-5 margin in second-chance points.
Northern outshot the Vulcans in the paint 34-24 during this season opener. Each team committed 17 turnovers in the game.
The second half was key for the Wildcats, as they outscored the Vulcans 44-27 after trailing 30-22 at halftime. NMU shot 10-14 (71.4%) in the dominant 22-11 third quarter and was 18-33 (54.5%) overall in the final 20 minutes.
Alicia Young of the Vulcans added 20 points, aided by 10 points and two rebounds from Kennedy Bankett. The Wildcats scored 20 of their 66 points off turnovers from California, while the Vulcans only scored 11 off Wildcat turnovers.
