Bella Lenz leads Huskies with 25 points
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Three players hit double-figure scoring, with senior guard Isabella Lenz recording a career-high 25 points, although the Michigan Tech women’s basketball team fell in overtime to Parkside (79-75) in its GLIAC opener at the SDC Gymnasium on Thursday.
“Obviously this one is disappointing,” Tech women’s basketball coach Sam Clayton said. “It’s another game we thought we could’ve won. I think we had too many turnovers—when you look at statistics that’s the biggest difference in the game. I think late game we didn’t get into our stuff and Parkside made some big shots in overtime. I’m still proud of our girls and I think we’re competing super hard—we just have to be able to turn the corner now.”
The Rangers (5-2, 1-0 GLIAC) took its first lead of the fourth quarter following a layup by Chloe Van Zeeland at the 6:17 mark (56-55) before the Huskies (3-6, 0-1 GLIAC) tied it at 60-all with a triple from graduate transfer Janie Tormanen with 3:15 to play.
With four seconds left in regulation and the game tied at 62-all, Lenz sunk her signature pull-up from the elbow, although the Rangers answered on the opposite end with a layup by Peighton Nelson, tying the game again with one second to play, forcing overtime.
The Rangers led from the opening tip in extra time, seeing its lead grow to as much as six points with 39 seconds left, shooting five-for-seven from the field, including two 3-pointers.
Parkside made it interesting, missing three-of-six free throws in the final 28 seconds but prevailed 79-75 by the final buzzer.
Michigan Tech led through the first half, with sophomore guard Dani Nuest scoring the Huskies’ last five points to head into halftime with a 30-29 lead.
Junior forward Maja Kozlowska gave MTU a five-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter after connecting on two shots from the free throw line to finish with 14 points, scoring in double-figures for her third-straight game while adding eight rebounds.
Tormanen recorded her first double-double as a Husky with 13 points and a team-leading 10 boards.
Cassidy Arni led four Rangers in double-figure scoring with a team-leading 20 points. Van Zeeland and Sheridan Flauger each recorded a team-high eight rebounds.
Up Next
The Huskies remain at home, welcoming Purdue Northwest to the SDC Gymnasium on Saturday, slated for a noon tipoff.
