MARQUETTE, Mich. â€Â“ The Northern Michigan University womenâ€Â™s basketball team defeated the Gannon University Golden Knights 85-57on Saturday morning in the first game of a three-game tripleheader at the Berry Events Center.  The â€Â˜Cats improved to 10-4 overall and 3-3 in the GLIAC while Gannonfell to 11-6 overall and 4-3 in the GLIAC. 

The â€Â˜Cats jumped out to a 15-2 lead after just over fourminutes of play and went on to build their lead throughout the first half tolead 48-18 going into halftime. In the first half the â€Â˜Cats made 19-of-33 fieldgoals, including five three-pointers, and had only seven turnovers incomparison to 11 committed by the Golden Knights. Maria Kasza led the â€Â˜Cats inthe first half with 12 points as she was 4-of-6 from the field.

The â€Â˜Cats led 50-18, their largest lead of the game, after abucket by Emily Belland with 30 seconds played in the second half. The GoldenKnights went on to outscore the Wildcats 39-37 in the second half but werenever able to cut the lead to anything under 19 points.  The â€Â˜Cats won the gamewhile shooting 53.1 percent (34-64) from the field and 47.1 percent (8-17) frombehind the three-point arc. The â€Â˜Cats also won the battle of the boards as theyout-rebounded the Golden Knights 48-34. Ã‚ 

Kasza led all scorers with 24 points on 8-of-13 field goals,including six three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and one assist. Teammate Tiffany Grubaugh had 18 points, three rebounds, and a game-high eight assists. Allison Carroll had a double-double for the Wildcats as she scored 14 pointsand pulled down 11 rebounds.

The â€Â˜Cats play at home again on Tuesday, January 18 as theyhost Upper Peninsula rival Michigan Tech.  The women tip-off at 5:30 p.m. withthe men to follow at 7:30 p.m.  Tuesday nightâ€Â™s games are â€ÂœDon â€Â˜Duckyâ€Â™ Perrinâ€Ânight as long-time statistician Perrin will be honored between games.