Stelzer carries Tech men past WSC
MARSHALL, Minn. — Michigan Tech improved to 3-0 with a 75-56 victory over Wayne State (Neb.) today in day two action at the Southwest Minnesota State Classic. Ben Stelzer scorched the nets for 32 points, and the Huskies turned the ball over just three times to beat their third straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent in as many tries.
Stelzer posted 20 first-half points as he buried 5-of-7 3-pointers—part of a 9-for-14 effort (64 percent) by Tech as a team.
Stelzer knocked down two triples in the opening minute of the game to set the tone, and the Huskies led the entire game. A 25-21 Tech lead grew to as many as 16 before a 43-31 score at half.
Wayne State (2-4) remained within 12 (60-48) with 8:30 to play before Stelzer added a 3-pointer and a layup to push the gap to 17. The Huskies cruised from there.
Tech shot 60 percent in the first half and 47 percent for the game. The Wildcats made 39 percent of their field goals. The Huskies held a 34-33 rebounding edge, and the teams combined for just 10 turnovers (three by Tech).
“We’ve really worked on being efficient on the offensive end, and I thought we were tonight,” said Tech coach Kevin Luke. “Wayne played hard with a young club, and we had difficulty guarding them at times.
“Ben played like we know he’s capable. He continued to make shots and get teammates open looks.”
Stelzer finished 10-of-20 from the field in scoring his 32 points—two shy of a career high. The senior is averaging 24.0 points per game and shooting 62 percent from behind the arc on the season.
Nine other Huskies scored points in the game. Kyle Stankowski, who had 10 plus five rebounds, was the only other one in double digits. Jordan Chartier capped off a strong weekend with nine points and seven rebounds, giving him 26 and 11 for the two-game set, respectively.
Wayne State was led by Tyler Nagy’s 12 points.
Michigan Tech will begin GLIAC competition next week. The Huskies travel to Canton, Ohio, to face Malone on Thursday (Dec. 4) and Walsh on Saturday (Dec. 6).
(Information/Photo Courtesy of MTU Athletics)