Tech Men’s B-Ball wins in overtime

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Senior Ali
Haidar tied his season-high with 35 points to lead Michigan Tech to an 83-79 overtime win at Lake Superior State Saturday (Jan. 26). He added nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block.

The Huskies drained a 3-pointer on three of their first four possessions of the game and finished with five in the half. Tech would lead by as many as nine points in the first half and held a 35-29 lead at halftime.

Tech’s lead grew to a game-high 19 points following a 3-pointer by junior Alex Culy
11 minutes remaining. Culy finished with a season-high 20 points and a season-high six rebounds.

After shooting 37-percent in the first half, the Lakers improved to 57-percent in the second and closed the second half on a 28-9 run.

With the score tied at 69, Derek Billing made a lay-up to put the Lakers up two with 33 seconds remaining.

Sophomore Ben Stelzer missed a 3-pointer on Tech’s next possession, but senior Matt
Esters grabbed the offensive rebound. He then drained two free throws to send the game to overtime.

Haidar went to work in overtime scoring seven of the team’s 12 points in the extra period. Stelzer sealed the win for the Huskies with a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining.

“We lost concentration in the second half for whatever reason” said head coach Kevin Luke. “Credit to Lake State who did a good job of coming back.”

Esters finished with 12 points and six rebounds for the Huskies. Stelzer was the fourth player in double figures for the Huskies finishing with 10.

Derek Billing led the Lakers with 22 points and Derek Kinney finished with a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

LSSU finished with a 36-28 advantage in rebounds.

Tech (13-5, 10-4) will play at Northern Michigan Saturday (Feb. 2).