Negaunee’s Ella Mason paces Huskies with 25 points
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team outlasted Northwood 89-87 in a high-scoring affair Friday at the SDC Gym. The Huskies had five players in double figures and were led by Ella Mason’s career high 25 points.
Tech improved to 8-2 overall and wrapped up non-conference play with a 6-2 mark. It was Tech’s first time scoring 80 points this season as they handed Northwood its fourth loss and the first to an opponent not ranked in the top 25.
“Northwood is an incredible team that is well-coached,” Tech coach Sam Clayton said. “Our team just responded every time they made a run. The zone and press hurt us in the fourth, but we made just enough plays to get the win.
“It’s a huge win in the sense that we were able to beat a really good team at home. We get to take a break now, but we know we have the number one team in the country next. We’ll have confidence going into that game.”
Tech entered the fourth quarter with a 12-point lead. Northwood came out in a zone defense and slowed the fast-paced game down and then outscored the Huskies by 10. The Timberwolves inched the margin all the way down to two points, and Northwood’s Maeve St. John had a deep three at the buzzer that rimmed out for the final score.
The Huskies exploded for 30 points in the first quarter and led 51-45 at halftime, shooting over 60 percent from the field and making six three-pointers. Tech led by as many as 14 but Northwood stayed in the game at the free throw line, going 12 for 12 in the opening 20:00.
In the third quarter, the Black and Gold outscored the Timberwolves 22-16 to maintain the lead. The Huskies scored 10 fast-break points, and Ella Mason stayed hot with eight points.
Ella Mason was 9-for-17 from the floor and hit four three-pointers and three free throws. It was the third time this season she scored 20 points. Alyssa Wypych made all three of her shots from beyond the arc and scored 16 points. Kendall Standfest added 15 points, Soraya Timms scored 14, and Janie Tormanen finished with 12.
Maeve St. John led the Timberwolves with 25 points with 10 coming from the charity stripe. Lea Holmes scored 17, and Lexie Bowers was also in double figures with 10.
The Huskies take a Holiday break and return to action on Jan. 1 and Jan. 3, hosting Grand Valley State and Davenport at the SDC Gym.
