Four Huskies in double figures
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The No. 20 nationally-ranked Michigan Tech men’s basketball team used a full-team effort with four players reaching double-figure scoring to earn their third win over Roosevelt this season, 84-65 inside the SDC Gymnasium to open the GLIAC Tournament on Wednesday evening.
The Huskies now have 13 wins at the SDC Gymnasium for an overall record of 23-6 and 17-3 in the GLIAC. Roosevelt, in its first season at the Division II level in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate conference, finished with an overall standing of 9-20, playing to a 6-14 record in the GLIAC.
Michigan Tech saw four players reach double-figure, scoring led by junior guard Marcus Tomashek with 17 points. Ty Fernholz came off the bench, providing 16 points as Gabe Smith (12) and Nate Abel (11) also reached double-digit scoring. Josh Terrian led the Huskies with seven rebounds, adding two assists.
“We’re pretty locked in for the most part defensively,” Huskies head coach Josh Buettner said. “I think we’re a pretty connected group and the ball is moving. I love the balance on offense and those are good qualities. Getting Ty back has been huge but we’ve been doing a pretty good job of getting good looks in transition and offensive rebounds. The more balanced we can be the better we’ll be down the stretch.”
“It feels great to be able to play with a great group of guys,” Fernholz added. “Everyone believes in each other and there’s a lot of belief which makes for a real fun style of basketball that we play.”
The two teams jostled for a convincing lead in the first half that showcased three lead changes and four ties as both teams shot over 40 percent from the field. Michigan Tech earned the first notable advantage with under eight minutes to go with three quick 3-pointers, first by Tomashek before back-to-back triples by Fernholz, putting the Black & Gold up 27-20 at the 6:10 mark. A Gabe Smith and-one gave MTU its largest lead of the game at 35-22 as the Huskies gained momentum with an 8-0 run.
Michigan Tech sustained a double-digit lead with a last-second 3-pointer by veteran Adam Hobson, concluding the first half up 43-31 with eight first-half 3-pointers going in for the home team.
Both teams shot 50 percent from the field in the second stanza, although the Huskies found their groove with 17 points off the bench and 18 points in the paint while turning the ball over just two times in the final 20 minutes of action.
The Huskies saw 10 points from the GLIAC’s Preseason Player of the Year, Tomashek, as Abel enjoyed an eight-point half, going two-of-three from deep.
Four additional Huskies scored at least four points in the full-team effort win.
The Black & Gold had a 20-point advantage three times in the final period, with the largest lead of the day coming with 14:27 to go off a layup by Tomashek (54-33).
Abel recorded five points in the final six minutes as Fernholz added five, as the Huskies cruised to an 84-65 victory to remain at home for the remainder of the GLIAC Tournament.
The dynamic duo of Thomas (24) and Prater (21) combined for 45 of the Lakers 65 total points. Thomas also led the team with six rebounds.
