Huskies are getting big contributions by Nuest off the bench
DETROIT, Mich. – The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team had trailed by one point and had two chances to take the lead with 18 seconds to play, but a missed field goal then a turnover under four seconds remaining allowed Wayne State to escape with a 68-67 decision inside the Wayne State Fieldhouse on Saturday.
Michigan Tech (15-9, 9-7 GLIAC) saw three players reach double-figures, led by 15 points from Kendall Standfest, a season-high 12 points by Dani Nuest and 11 points, including a clutch 3-pointer by Kloe Zentkowski with under a minute to play. Zentkowski also secured a team-best four assists and joined Standfest with a team-high six rebounds.
The Huskies won the rebounding battle 37-29, although Wayne State (18-6, 13-3 GLIAC) converted 15 turnovers in 12 points, as the Black & Gold lost the turnover affair 15-12.
“We had a lot of fight, I thought we executed better defensively in the second half and we both had players step up and make big plays in a great game,” said Michigan Tech head coach Sam Clayton. “Obviously I wish it was a different outcome but Dani was another spark for us off the bench and Kloe had a huge three late for us in the game and the turnover late didn’t lose us the game but it’s something to learn from.”
Both teams shot over 50 percent in the opening half with the Huskies keeping within reach with a 3-pointer by Nuest tying the contest at 13-all with under a minute to play in the opening frame before McKenna Ferguson made it 16-13 to close the quarter off of the third WSU triple of the day.
The two teams also connected on nine shots in the second quarter including two 3-pointers respectively, seeing Wayne State pull ahead by six entering halftime (40-34). Ferguson (13) and Gabi Lutchka (12) combined for 25 points as the difference-makers in the first 20 minutes.
Nuest (9) and Ella Mason (7) led the Huskies through the half with a layup by Bella Hanna at the 5:27 mark giving Michigan Tech a one point lead (27-26). The Warriors led by as much as seven points off a fastbreak trey by Lutchka with under three minutes to go.
The Warriors won the third quarter 16-15 and got up by as much as 10 points twice by an and-one by Standfest and a layup by Zentkowski late made it a 55-50 affair heading into the fourth period.
Michigan Tech shot 8-16 from the field in the final stanza with a team-best six points and two assists by Standfest including an and-one as Zentkowski went 2-2 for five points and an assist.
Zentkowski had two of the last three field goals for the Huskies with a layup and a 3-pointer to cut Wayne State’s lead from four to one with 49 seconds to go. However, after a shot clock violation by the Warriors with 18 seconds to play, the Huskies had a missed shot and a turnover with under four seconds to play to decide the contest 68-67.
Ferguson led quartet of Warriors in double-figure with 19 points. Lutchka secured a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds while tying the team-high of three steals with Ferguson. Thompson added 10 points and a team-best six assists while Sylvester added 10 points off the bench.
Up Next
Michigan Tech is back out on the road for a one game next week, traveling to No. 12 Northern Michigan on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
