Lady Huskies lose close game

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

DETROIT, Mich. – Michigan Tech’s second half rally came up short as the women’s basketball team lost on the road to Wayne State 55-53 Thursday (Feb. 14).

“We had our opportunities tonight,” said head coach Kim Cameron. “Our seniors did everything humanly possible to will us to the win, but we fell short. We need everyone in a game like that if we want to be successful. We missed some big box outs and big free throws. It was a one point game, and we couldn’t get over the hump.”

Senior Sam Hoyt scored a game-high 27 points, three steals and one block.

Senior Emma Veach added 11 points and six rebounds.

The Huskies struggled in the first half shooting 17-percent (6-34) from the field without a single 3-point field goal and making 3-of-6 free throws.

The Warriors shot 32-percent (8-25) from the field and 7-of-11 from the line over the first 20 minutes to lead 23-15.

Tech turned things around in the second half shooting 44-percent (13-29) from the field and converting four of its eight 3-point attempts.

Wayne State led by as many as 13 with 12:46 remaining, but Tech would battle back.

The Huskies cut it to a one possession game several times but could not take the lead. The Warriors finished with a 55-37 advantage in rebounds, including 22-14 on the offensive end.

Senior Emma Veach drained a 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to pull the Huskies within one, 54-53. WSU missed both free throws but grabbed the offensive rebound. Wayne State made one of the two free throws giving the Huskies the ball down two with 14 seconds remaining. The Huskies turned it over on its final possession of the game.

Wayne State finished with more made free throws (221) than attempts (20) by Tech.

Juanita Cochran (18 points, 14 rebounds) and Phaebre Colbert (11 points, 15 rebounds) each tallied a double-double for the Warriors.

Tech (15-7, 13-5) will play its final road game of the regular season at Saginaw Valley State Saturday (Feb. 16).