Fernholz leads Tech with 22 points
DULUTH, Minn. – The No. 13 nationally-ranked Michigan Tech men’s basketball guards Ty Fernholz and Marcus Tomashek combined for 40 points in a 63-59 victory over St. Cloud State at the 2025 American Farmers Insurance Classic hosted in Duluth, Minnesota, on Saturday.
The Huskies moved to 5-1 overall as SCSU dropped to 1-3 behind a 22-point performance by Fernholz, shooting 53.3 percent from the field, knocking down six of his 13 attempts from long range. Tomashek added 18 points, including nine straight points over the final five minutes of the game, while adding a team-leading eight rebounds and four assists.
“This team just really fights and finds ways to win,” said Tech head coach Josh Buettner. “Today it was Ty that was a huge spark, but it’s been different guys every game. We still have lots of room to improve, but I’m really happy for the guys.”
The two teams traded substantial runs in the first half, as Michigan Tech jumped out to a 7-0 lead with baskets by Nate Abel and Gabe Smith before a 3-pointer from Josh Terrian at the 16:48 mark.
Then, St. Cloud State strung together a 16-4 run extending to the 8:48 mark with a 3-pointer by Will Brands, forcing Tech head coach Josh Buettner to take a timeout, trailing 16-11.
Following the timeout, the Huskies gained an offensive boost by Tomashek and Fernholz combining for 22 points in the final 8:25 of the half.
The Huskies drew a play for Fernholz out of the break, knocking down a triple before Tomashek scored five-straight with an and-one on the low block and a layup before dishing a pass to Fernholz for another shot from downtown to put MTU ahead 25-24 with under five minutes to play in the first stanza.
The duo combined for the Huskies’ next eight points with Terrian hitting a timely banked floater with the shot clock expiring, making it a 35-28 advantage for the Black & Gold heading into halftime.
Tomashek added four rebounds and a team-leading three assists as Fernholz shot 66.7 percent for the half, shooting 6-for-9 from the field and four-of-six from 3-point land.
SCSU struggled from the free-throw line, going just 2-for-8, while going 2-for-9 from 3-point range and succumbing to eight turnovers.
Dawson Nordgaard was a focal point out of the gate in the second half, hitting two right hook shots to get the offense going in the opening minutes.
MTU’s offense continued to roll, jumping out to its largest lead of the game with under 13 minutes to play with two buckets by freshman guard Jesse Napgezk, making it 49-33.
However, St. Cloud State began to find an offensive spark as Michigan Tech struggled to find a basket for over five minutes. Luke Winkel and Lee Marks III contributed 11 points in an offensive barrage, cutting the Huskies’ lead to two points at 50-48, forcing a timeout by coach Buettner with 8:15 to play.
St. Cloud State claimed their first lead of the second-half following five points from Marks III, 53-52, following an and-one, marking their first lead since 24-22 in the first half.
Tomashek looked to find his groove, showcasing the first Tomshakek takeover of the 2025-26 season, scoring nine-straight points down the stretch to keep Michigan Tech ahead. Terrain had a timely steal with 15 seconds left, translating into a free throw by Tomashek. Winkel missed a 3-pointer for St. Cloud State with four seconds and Napgezek hit two free-throws at the end of regulation to decide the game at 63-59.
Wyatt Hawks had a double-double for SCSU with 12 points and 11 rebounds, as Winkel added 13 points and Marks III finished with 12.
Up Next
Michigan Tech will play in front of its home crowd for the first time this season on Saturday, facing Lakeland at 2:00 p.m.
