Seven years in a row that regular season champion doesn’t win post season tournament
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Despite facing adversity of foul trouble and Michigan Tech spending a lot of time at the free throw line in the second half, the Northern Michigan men’s basketball team persevered, edging the top-seeded Huskies 69-68 on their home court to advance to Sunday’s championship game.
The Wildcats led by as many as 17 early in the second half, but were called for nine of the first 10 fouls in the half while the Huskies had the first 14 free throw attempts. With that, Tech got back in the game, making for an exciting finish.
With the game in the balance in the final minute, Derek Merwick had two trips to the charity stripe, going 4-4 to give NMU the lead each time. Ahead 69-68 in the final seconds, the Huskies rattled off a pair of shots as the horn sounded and the Wildcats punched their ticket to their third GLIAC Championship game in the last four seasons.
Dylan Kuehl was as good as he’s been all season, leading the way with 26 points and eight rebounds. He shot 10-18 (55.6%) from the field. Jackson Dudek also found double figures with 11, while Tech’s Marcus Tomashek led all scorers with 28 points, going 16-19 at the free throw line.
Northern shot 26-57 (45.6%) from the field and 6-22 (27.3%) from three. The Huskies were 21-51 (41.2%) overall and just 4-22 (18.2%) from deep. NMU controlled points in the paint, 36-28. The Green and Gold also committed just five turnovers while dishing out 11 assists.
With the win, it now marks seven straight seasons the regular season champion did not go on to win the tournament championship.
The Wildcats will now face the winner of Lake Superior State vs. Ferris State on Sunday at 2 p.m. for the tournament title.
How it Happened
It was a slow start on each side, with the Huskies getting the first scratch almost three minutes in. Jackson Dudek answered the next trip down the floor with an and-one to give NMU an early lead.
Biggie Luster and Kuehl each hit threes as the half progressed as part of a 11-2 NMU run, leading 16-8 with 11 minutes to go in the half. Kuehl then had back-to-back buckets to build a double-digit advantage and Privet knocked down a corner three to push it to a dozen at 25-13 at 7:39.
The Huskies then battled back with six straight. Merwick responded with back-to-back buckets to stretch the lead, and the ‘Cats maintained a 33-25 lead at the half. NMU shot 13-27 (48.1%) in the half. Kuehl led the way with a dozen points and six rebounds.
Dudek started the second half with a beautiful Euro step, and the Wildcats hit each of their first four shots, all coming in the paint, to lead 41-28.
Kuehl followed with a three and Dudek connected on a layup at the rim to give NMU its largest lead of the game, 51-34, at 13:40.
The Huskies stormed back into it with a 13-0 run, with eight of those coming at the charity stripe. Julien Smith halted the run with a clutch three, but Tech continued to chip away and eventually pulled even at 60-60 with four minutes to go.
Kuehl continued to press for the ‘Cats as needed, hitting consecutive buckets as the Wildcats held a slim 64-62 lead at 2:20.
Michigan Tech then tied it up with a fast break dunk. Kuehl hit 1-2 at the FT line to lead by one, but the Huskies came back with a 2-2 trip to the charity stripe to give them a 66-65 lead at 0:51. The Wildcats responded by attacking the rim, and Merwick came in clutch with two free throws to regain the lead.
The Huskies again answered with the free throw line, going 2-2 again to lead by one. One last time, Merwick responded by getting to the line and going 2-2 to lead 69-68 with 0:21 left.
Tech missed on a three and baseline jumper as the final horn sounded and the Wildcat faithful celebrated the upset win.
Up Next
Northern will face Lake Superior State or Ferris State in Sunday’s championship game in Houghton, taking place at 2 p.m.
