Haidar leads Tech Men to victory
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team shot 75-percent (21-28) in the second half in a 79-65 GLIAC over Northwood Thursday (Jan. 24). The Huskies out-scored the Timberwolves 57-35 over the final 20 minutes.
“Tonight was a good team win for us,” said head coach Kevin Luke. “We did a good job getting the ball to both Ali Haidar down low and to our shooters on the outside.”
The Timberwolves secured its largest lead of the first half at nine points after back-to-back 3-pointers by Andrew VanDierenDonck and Dylan Langkabel with four minutes remaining.
Senior Ali Haidar answered with back-to-back lay-ups but Cameron Joyce drained a 3-pointer to give NU an eight point lead at halftime.
The Huskies systematically chipped away at the Northwood lead in the second half. Trailing by seven points with 13:19 remaining, senior Matt Esters drained a pair of three’s. Haidar followed with a lay-up, and senior Alex Culy made a 3-pointer to give Tech a 46-44 lead at 9:41.
NU would tie the game for the final time at 50 points a piece with seven minutes remaining.
Tech would close the game out on a 29-15 run and scored on everyone of its possessions.
Tech finished with a 38-18 advantage in points in the paint, and the Tech bench chipped in 24.
Ali Haidar finished with 34 points, one shy of his season-high, shooting 15-of-19 from the floor. He also had six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal.
Matt Esters finished with a season-high 14 points and two assists. Sophomore Ben Stelzer and freshman Jordan Chartier finished with a combined 22 points.
Tech will play at Lake Superior State Saturday (Jan. 26).