Lady Huskies edged by Warriors

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

DETROIT – The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team had its 11-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday (Jan. 23) as No. 21-ranked Wayne State handed the Huskies a 74-63 loss at the Matthaei Center. Tech made only 3-for-19 from 3-point territory and went scoreless for a six-minute stretch in the second half, falling to 12-3 overall and 10-1 in the GLIAC.

The Huskies held a 55-52 lead with 11:30 to go but wouldn’t score another field goal until 2:04 remaining as the Warriors went on an 11-0 run and took control of the game.

A 3-pointer by Kelli Guy cut the margin to five with 50 seconds left but the Warriors made eight free throws down the stretch for the 11-point margin.

“They’re a very good team,” Tech coach Kim Cameron said. “They’re good on both ends. We did great in the first half but missed a lot of shots and gave up too many rebounds in the second.”

Danielle Blake led the Huskies with a game-high 24 points. She also had seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Paig Albi also entered double figures with 10 points. Kylie Moxley and Mackenzie Perttu combined for 15 points while Jillian Ritchie had seven rebounds and four points.

Tech trailed by one at halftime (30-29) after five ties and seven lead changes in the opening half. Blake had 18 points in the first half after shooting 8-for-15.

Wayne State took a six-point lead early in the second half but an Albi 3-pointer gave the Huskies a 48-46 lead with 13:15 left. Tech wouldn’t surrender the lead until 5:38 on the clock after a trey by Des Lavita-Stephens.

Tech shot 33.8 percent (23-for-68) from the field and made 14-for-20 from the free throw line.

Wayne State made 41.5 percent (27-for-65) from the field and 5-for-11 (45.5 percent) from three. The Warriors dominated rebounding 52-38 and are now 13-2 overall and 10-1 in league play.

Imari Redfield and Shareta Brown each had a double-double for the home team. Redfield led the team with 21 points and added 11 rebounds. Brown finished with 16 points and 12 boards.

“The difference was when Shareta Brown was in the game,” Cameron added. “She had some foul trouble but did it all tonight, both offensively and defensibly.”

Tech wraps up the weekend at Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Jan. 25). The Huskies and Cardinals tip-off at 1 p.m.