Tech men’s hoops win at GVSU
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team won at Grand Valley State for the first time since Feb. 2003 with a 76-71 victory over the Lakers. The Huskies secured sole possession of second place in the GLIAC North Division standings with 11 3-pointers and 21 points from the free throw line.
Tech entered the game tied with Grand Valley and Northwood for second place. The Timberwolves fell to LSSU on Saturday. The Huskies are now 16-5 overall and 12-5 in the GLIAC after the regular season sweep of the Lakers.
GVSU (15-6, 11-6 GLIAC) scored seven straight points to tie it up at 68. Jason Hawke ended the streak, burying his fourth 3-pointer of the game with 1:18 on the clock.
Alex Culy and Luke Heller each made one of two from the free throw line after the Lakers missed two 3-point tries.
Rob Woodson scored a layup and a free throw but Hawke and Austin Armga combined for three free throws to keep the Lakers at bay and earn the five-point win.
“What a big win,” Tech coach Kevin Luke said. “It was a great opportunity for us to move up in the standings and we made the right plays down the stretch.”
Tech led for most of the first half that had four lead changes. A Jordan Chartier 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer gave Tech a 35-30 lead.
Hawke finished with a career-high 20 points on 5-for-7 shooting. He also pulled down five rebounds and dished out five assists.
“Jason stepped up and buried a huge shot for us,” added Luke. “He gives us such a good chance when he’s making his shots.”
Armga scored a game-high 25 points and added five rebounds. He made all nine of his free throw attempts. Ben Stelzer was the other Husky in double figures with 14. Troy Hecht ripped down nine rebounds and Alex Culy assisted on four field goals.
Tech shot 44.9 percent (22-for-49) from the field and made 11-for-26 (42.3 percent) from three. From the charity stripe, the Huskies shot 21-for-24 (87.5 percent).
The Huskies out rebounded the Lakers 33-31 and had 18 assists on 22 made field goals.
Grand Valley was led in scoring by Ryan Sabin with 27. Rob Woodson also scored in double figures with 12. The Lakers shot 42.6 percent (26-for-61) from the field but made only 8-for-29 (27.6 percent) from three.
Tech returns home to host Wayne State on Feb. 13 and Saginaw Valley State on Feb. 15.
“It feels good to get three wins this week,” Luke said. “Next week is going to be tough but we’re happy to be back at home.”