Kloe Zentkowski scores a career-high 23 points
WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team began its weekend with a 79-60 win over Upper Iowa on Friday evening at the Justagame Fieldhouse. The Huskies never trailed and improved to 2-0.
“What I loved about tonight is we were in control from start to finish,” Tech coach Eric Gruber said. “Upper Iowa made a couple good runs, especially to end the half. But we stood strong and responded each time. We have somebody new who steps up every quarter, every game so far. Kloe was dominant and changed the game for us, and from there everybody stepped up big time.”
Tech dominated the third quarter 27-15 and blew the lead open to 21. The Huskies shot 75 percent in the third, and Kloe Zentkowski went for 10 points in the frame. The Huskies maintained the lead and extended the bench in the fourth.
The two teams combined for only 17 points in the first quarter before exploding for 50 in the second. The Huskies held a 37-30 lead at the half, and Kloe Zentkowski had 10 points at halftime.
Kloe Zentkowski scored a career-high 23 points, shooting 7 for 12 from the field, which included 4 of 5 from the three-point line and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. She tied Bella Hanna for the team lead with seven rebounds. Abbie Pietila scored 15 points, Hanna added 13 points, and Dani Nuest rounded out Huskies in double figures with 10.
As a team, Tech shot 41.7 percent from the field and 44 percent from three. UIU was 39.7 percent from the field and only 2 of 18 from beyond the arc.
Kendyl Lodermeier led the Peacocks with 18 points, while Josie Foster (10) and Sydnee Nelson (10) were also in double figures.
Tech wraps up the three-game week on Saturday against Lewis at 6 p.m. Eastern. The Flyers fell to Northern Michigan on Friday in the Dells.
