Slow start put Huskies in an early hole
MARQUETTE, Mich. – For the third time this season, the No. 15 nationally-ranked Michigan Tech men’s basketball team fell to No. 25 Grand Valley State, this time, by a score of 82-70 in the GLIAC Tournament Semifinal game on Saturday afternoon in the Vandament Arena.
Michigan Tech (26-6, 16-4) was led by 13 points from Marcus Tomashek. Nate Abel recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds as Dawson Nordgaard (12) and Jesse Napgezek (10) also reached double-figure scoring for the Black & Gold.
“I think we were still ready to play despite being down to start the game,” said Tech head coach Josh Buettner. “It felt like we had a couple of possessions in the second half where we didn’t make the extra pass to get the best shot available and then they got to double-digits and that rim looks a lot bigger for them. Grand Valley crashed harder and got in the bonus quicker because we struggled to keep them off the glass.”
Grand Valley State (24-6, 15-5 GLIAC) opened the game with a 12-0 run extending to the first media break (15:45). The duo of Nordgaard and Tomashek combined for nine points to cut the Lakers’ lead to one point with 8:39 to play in the half.
Napgezek cashed in on a triple to give the Huskies their first tie of the game at 24-all, three possessions later, before the Black & Gold earned their first convincing lead of the day off a 3-pointer from Abel (29-25).
Tomashek gave the Huskies a two-point lead heading into halftime with a driving layup (41-39).
Abel (10) and Napgezek (8) led the Black & Gold through 20 minutes with Abel shooting 3-of-4 from the field, netting two 3-pointers. As a team, Michigan Tech won the battle on the glass 20-12.
The Huskies struggled to find offense in the second half, after Nordgaard hit the opening and-one in the period, Michigan Tech didn’t make another field goal until the 7:53 mark, when Tomashek connected on a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound by Gabe Smith.
However, the Lakers maintained a 20-point edge, pulling ahead during the Huskies’ field goal drought (69-49).
GVSU’s lead swelled to as many as 21 points three times down the stretch, although Drew Barrie (5) and Matt Schmainda (4) added points in the final minutes with the Lakers earning an 82-70 decision to advance to the GLIAC Championship game.
The Lakers shot 48.1 percent in the second half and outrebounded the Huskies 27-17.
For the second consecutive game, Wilkerson led his squad with 20 points on an efficient 8-of-13, knocking down a game-high four 3-pointers on seven attempts. Antuane Allen (16) and Mason Docks (11) also reached double-figures as Jalen Charity and Ethan Alderink had six boards, with Charity also adding a team-best four assists.
Up Next
The 2026 NCAA Selection Show will take place Sunday on NCAA.com at 11 p.m. In the latest regional rankings, the Huskies held the No. 1 slot in the Midwest Region.
