Tech Men suffer disappointing loss to SVSU
Courtesy of MTU Athletics
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Just one game after defeating GLIAC-leading Wayne State on Thursday (Feb. 14), the Michigan Tech men’s basketball team suffered a 53-50 loss at Saginaw Valley State today.
“This was another disappointing loss after putting ourselves in a good position,” said head coach Kevin Luke. “It we want to have a good tournament run, we can’t have let downs.”
The first half was a battle between the inside play of the Huskies versus the outside shooting of the Cardinals. Tech scored all seven of its field goals in the first half in the paint, and Saginaw scored six of its seven baskets from behind the arc to lead 20-16 at halftime.
SVSU’s lead would grow to 11 points at the 14:27 mark of the second. Senior Ali Haidar tied the game at 48 with a lay-up with 1:20 remaining.
Kellen Smith answered with a 3-pointer for the Cardinals and Haidar made a pair of free throws.
Neither team would score on its next possession. Chris Webb gave SVSU a three point lead after making a pair of free throws with 11 seconds remaining.
Haidar’s 3-point shot at the buzzer just missed for the Huskies. He finished with 25 points, shooting 10-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from the line. He also grabbed 11 rebounds.
Sophomore Ben Stelzer finished with 10 points, including two 3-pointers.
Brett Beland led Saginaw with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Chris Webb added 15 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The Huskies shot 43-percent (19-44) from the field and held Saginaw to 40-percent (18-45). Tech shot 2-of-14 from deep, but enjoyed a 32-16 edge in points in the paint.
Tech (16-7, 13-6) will begin a three game home stand Thursday (Feb. 21) when it hosts Northwood.