Northern Michigan University’s Sydney Whitehouse, right, makes a move and gets a shot off while being closely defended by Saginaw Valley State's Megan McCalla during their GLIAC women’s basketball game played at Vandament Arena in Marquette on Jan. 18. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team may be at a crossroads for an elite position in the GLIAC.

With four league losses, the Wildcats probably have lost the chance to catch national No. 1 Grand Valley State for the regular-season title, considering the Lakers are 12-0 in the league and 22-1 overall.

But second place is only one game away for NMU as it is 14-6 overall and 8-4 in the conference, tied with Wayne State and a game behind No. 2 Ferris State.

And the Wildcats play at Wayne State at 1 p.m. Saturday after they finish their game against Saginaw Valley State at 5:30 p.m. today.

Both games can be watched online on the FloSports app, or listen to them on the radio at WUPT 100.3 FM The Point.

Or fans can follow @NMU_WBBall and @NMU_Wildcats on X (formerly Twitter) for updates leading up to and during games. Or visit the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the women’s basketball schedule for links to live video, live audio, live statistics, game previews and team histories.

“Playing on the road in the GLIAC is not easy,” NMU head coach Casey Thousand said. “It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be a battle for both (games).

“It’s going to take our whole team again just like it did on Saturday for us to get the win(s).”

That Saturday game was an 80-41 rout of last-place Davenport played at Vandament Arena, just two days after the Wildcats were handed a 74-48 setback by No. 1 Grand Valley.

Northern is top 40 in the country in several statistics — 24th with 29.2 defensive rebounds per game, 30th with a 1.06 assist-to-turnover ratio, 31st lowest with 14.6 fouls a game, and 36th fewest with 14.1 turnovers per game.

The Wildcats’ Jacy Weisbrod is eighth in conference scoring at 13.3 points per game. She has scored in double figures in all but six games, and has made multiple triples in all but four. Her 2.81 made 3-pointers per game puts her 11th in the nation.

At 9.3 ppg, Sarah Newcomer is second on the team in scoring, while also eighth in the league with 3.0 assists per game and third with a 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Alyssa Nimz is third on the team in scoring with 8.8 ppg, also ninth in the conference averaging 6.9 rebounds each time out.

NMU’s defense has been a key to this season’s success, as its 58.3 ppg allowed is second fewest to Grand Valley. The Wildcats also allow opponents to shoot only 27% from 3-point line, also second best in the GLIAC.

SVSU is 11-9 overall and 5-7 in the GLIAC, tied for seventh. Last week, the Cardinals lost to Wisconsin-Parkside 73-50, then defeated Purdue Northwest 71-47.

They average 62.2 ppg for and 61.9 ppg against, the latter third in the league. The Cards are also in the top 35 in the country with 11.2 steals a game, led by Lydia Meredith with 2.7 and Saniaa Walker with 2.1 each contest.

Sophomore forward Megan McCalla leads the conference averaging 17.2 ppg while shooting 46% from the field, while senior guard Aleshia Jones is third in the GLIAC, shooting 85% on free throws and scoring 14.3 ppg.

Northern is 58-34 all-time against the Cardinals, though the Wildcats lost 67-51 on Jan. 18 in Marquette.

Wayne State is 13-7 overall and matches NMU’s conference record at 8-4, good for third place. The Warriors defeated Purdue NW 88-59 and Parkside 73-64 last week and have won four straight.

WSU is third in the GLIAC and top 40 in the country with 15.9 assists per game, with Shea Tripp leading them with 2.3 each outing. Taylor Thompson is the Warriors’ leading scorer at 12.9 ppg, though close behind is McKenna Ferguson at 12.4 ppg, Tripp at 12.3 ppg and Gabi Lutchka at 10.3 ppg.

NMU is 37-28 all-time against WSU, though Wayne State prevailed 61-60 in Marquette on Jan. 16.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release previewing the games. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.