Big second half allows Tech Women to mush past Davenport

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team outscored Davenport 49-34 in the second half to lead the Huskies to a 76-66 victory on Thursday at the SDC Gym. Janie Tormanen scored a season-high 22 points to lead the Black and Gold which improved to 9-10 overall and 6-5 in the GLIAC.
 
“We had a slow start but it was great to see the response in the second half,” Tech coach Sam Clayton said. “We were able to slow them down in the third and got our offense going. I thought our post players were great, and we were able to play inside out.”
 
Trailing 32-27 entering the third quarter, the Huskies quickly erased the deficit and took the lead with a 13-1 run. Kendall Standfest started with three followed by a pair of free throws by Janie Tormanen. The run continued with a layup by Alyssa Wypych and then a six-point play. Isabella Lenz hit a three while Wypych was knocked to the floor. Dani Nuest nailed another three 15 seconds later, and it was quickly a seven-point lead.
 
Tech won the fourth quarter 29-25, hitting 11-of-15 from the free-throw line to seal the win. The Huskies led by as many as 12 with Kendall Standfest scoring 10 of her 13 points in the final period and drawing six fouls.
 
Janie Tormanen hit 9-of-14 from the field and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe for her 22 points. She added eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
 
“It’s so fun to have a game like this at home with my family and friends here in the gym,” Tormanen said. “We have a lot of good scorers on this team, and it was fun for it to be my turn. I was playing quickly and taking the one-on-one opportunities that I found. Having Maja and Emma out there helps me get a different defender and that’s always huge.”
 
Isabella Lenz joined in double figures with 11 points. She nailed a three at the first-quarter buzzer to keep the margin in reach. Emma Anderson and Maja Kozlowska were a force in the paint, combining for 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
 
Ellie Toney led the Panthers with 23 points, while Lillee Gustafson (14) and Isabel Lindo also scored in double figures.
 
Davenport (4-15, 2-9 GLIAC) shot 53.3 percent from the floor in the first half and outrebounded the Huskies 21-11 to take the five-point lead.
 
Tech wraps up the weekend on Saturday against No. 1 Grand Valley State. Tipoff is set for Noon on Alumni Day.