Second half run carries Tech past GVSU

HOUGHTON, Mich. — No. 23-ranked Michigan Tech remained undefeated at home with a 61-52 victory over Grand Valley State today at the SDC Gym. The Huskies (13-1, 9-1 GLIAC) held the Lakers (10-4, 7-3 GLIAC) to 33 percent field goal shooting to move two games ahead of them in the GLIAC North Division standings.

Tech was up 28-25 after a back-and-forth first half. The lead changed hands eight times in the opening 20 minutes with neither team on top by more than five.

Danielle Blake picked up her second foul and didn’t play the final 12 minutes of the half. Others picked up the slack including freshman Sarah LewAllen who hit a big 3-pointer late in the half to put the Black and Gold up 25-23.

Morgan Anderson capped the first stanza with a 3-pointer right before the horn to send the hosts into the locker room up three.

The Black and Gold came out with a 13-4 run in the first four minutes of the second half to take control. All five Tech starters had baskets during the run.

Blake hit back-to-back layups for a 51-38 lead with eight minutes to play, but GVSU battled back. Kat LaPrairie’s 3-pointer cut the margin to seven at the 4:49 mark.

Tech’s defense stepped up in a big way, not allowing another Laker point until :35 remaining. The Huskies scored just six points during that four-minute stretch, but it was enough to get the win.

“Our defense was phenomenal throughout the game,” said Tech coach Kim Cameron. “We were very consistent on the defensive end, and to hold a high-powered team like Grand Valley to 25 and 27 in the two halves was awesome.”

Michigan Tech was playing without the services of senior Jillian Ritchie, who was away tending to family matters. Kylie Moxley started in her place and notched eight points and seven rebounds.

Anderson was Tech’s leading scorer with 15 points to go with a game-high five assists. Blake also reached double figures with 12 points and seven rebounds.

LeAllen and Emily Harrison combined for nine points off the Huskies’ bench in the nine-point victory.

“Sarah played some big minutes for us today,” said Cameron. “I thought her defense in the second half was a big key to our win.”

Michigan Tech, which finished its four-game home stand at 4-0, will play games at Hillsdale and Saginaw Valley State next week. Thursday’s (Jan. 22) game at Hillsdale is set to tip at 6 p.m.

(Information/Photo Courtesy of MTU Athletics)