MARQUETTE, Mich. – A 24-point deficit at halftime proved too much for Lake Superior State women's basketball to overcome Thursday evening in their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic contest against Upper Peninsula rivals Northern Michigan.

The Wildcats (11-6, 6-4 GLIAC) built the insurmountable first half by outscoring the Lakers (4-13, 2-8 GLIAC) 20-4 during the second period alone. NMU opened the period with a 19-2 run while the Lakers went eight minutes without a point.

Junior center Tamara Novic logged a career-high 32 points to lead all scorers in 28 minutes of reserve duty. Novic notched 24 points in the second half alone. On the strength of Novic's performance, the Lakers were able to outscore NMU 32-24 during the second half but were only able to pull within 15 points of the Wildcats with under three minutes to play.

Jessica Schultz led the Wildcats with 14 points offensively, followed by Emily Schramek with nine points off the bench.

The Lakers continue their road trip against U.P. rivals this week with Saturday's 1 p.m. meeting with Michigan Tech.