Tech women upset by Tiffin

TIFFIN, Ohio — The No. 20-ranked Michigan Tech women’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season with a 80-66 setback at Tiffin today. The Huskies cut an 18-point halftime deficit to just eight midway through the second half but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Tiffin outrebounded Tech 45-35 and shot 48 percent compared to the Huskies’ 34 percent to earn their third win of the season. The Black and Gold had their nine-game winning streak snapped and are now 9-1.

The Dragons did not play like a two-win team from the opening tipoff. They had four offensive rebounds in the opening eight minutes and built up a 13-point margin after nine minutes. The gap grew to as many as 18 as the teams entered halftime.

The margin reached as high as 20 three minutes into the second stanza before Tech switched to full-court pressure and a zone defense. The move helped the visitors go on a 20-8 run over the next seven minutes. Jillian Ritchie, Mackenzie Perttu and Lindsay Winter all hit 3-pointers during the stretch to make the score 58-50 with 10 minutes to go.

TU’s offense continued rolling along, however, getting several consecutive layups to push the gap back to 17 with 6:30 to play. The Huskies kept battling, but did not come within 12 the rest of the way.

“We’re going to get every team’s best shot,” said Tech coach Kim Cameron. “The teams in our league are good enough to beat you if you don’t bring your best. We had an average game and paid for it.”

Danielle Blake had a game-high 23 points along with eight rebounds, four blocks, four steals and three assists. Ritchie, who had 13 points and six rebounds, was the only other Husky in double figures.

Tech’s three starting sophomores combined to go 1-for-23 from the field.

Michigan Tech, which has made two 11-hour bus rides in opposite directions (to North Dakota and Ohio) since its last home game Dec. 13, will host Lake Erie at the SDC Gym on Thursday (Jan. 8).

(Information/Photo Courtesy of MTU Athletics)