Huskies Return to Houghton for GLIAC Battles with Northwood and Lake Superior State

Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)

Thurs., Jan. 19 • 7:30 p.m. (ET) vs Northwood • Sat. Jan. 21 • 3 p.m. (ET) vs Lake Superior St.

Michigan Tech (8-8, 6-3 GLIAC) vs Northwood (4-14, 2-7 GLIAC) and Lake Superior State (9-4, 7-2 GLIAC)

ROAD SWEEP

Michigan Tech wrapped up the four game road trip with a pair of key Great Lakes Intercollegate Athletic Conference wins at Wayne State and No. 18 Saginaw Valley State. The Huskies rallied from an 11 point deficit to grab a 63-58 victory on Thursday and used a 9-2 run to start the game on Saturday at Saginaw Valley on their way to a 93-72 win. Tech was up to the challenge time and time again down the stretch of the second half at Wayne State. Multiple players stepped up to hit big shots, including senior Jason Hawke who had three key baskets in the final minutes. Freshman Tommy Lucca led the Huskies with 17 points followed by senior Jordan Chartier with 15 points, and sophomore Bryan Heath with 13 points. Tech never trailed on Saturday thanks to the 9-2 scoring burst to begin the game. Junior A.J. Grazulis, who would go on to score a career high 16 points, opened the contest with a layup 18 seconds into the action. The only tie of the afaternoon occurred at 2-2 on a Malik Garner jumper, but other than that the Huskies stayed in front. Tech led by as many at 29 points and scored 90+ points for the second time this season. Lucca had 24 points and sophomore Kyle Monroe poured in 20 points to power the Huskies' offense. Chartier and Grazulis followed with 18 and 16 points respectively. 

CROWDED AT THE TOP

Five teams are near the top of the GLIAC North Division standings going into this week's slate of games.  Ferris State leads the North with a 7-2 conference mark, but four teams including Tech are within one game of the division lead. Tech is 6-3 against GLIAC opponents as well as Lake Superior State, Wayne State, and Grand Valley State. The Huskies will face Lake Superior State on Saturday at the SDC Wood Gym and Northwood on Thursday night. Wayne State and Grand Valley State will play each other on Thursday night so there could be a little more separation in the standings once this week is complete.

GLIAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS

Michigan Tech leads the GLIAC statistical rankings in four categories going into this week. The Huskies turn the ball over only 8.8 times per game, make a league best 10.3 triples per contest, attempt a league high 26.6 treys per game, and are the top free throw shooting team in regards to percentage at the charity stripe (78.3%). In addition, Tech is also pacing the GLIAC rankings in average home attendance. (864). Lucca is currently four in the conference in scoring with his team leading 18.6 points per game average.  Zac Carter of Walsh is the top scorer in the GLIAC at 25.4 points per game.

COME FLY WITH SKYWEST

Michigan Tech is teaming up with SkyWest Airlines to give a lucky fan a chance at a pair of airline tickets during the double header Thursday night. At halftime of the women's game, three contestants will have a chance to shoot for the tickets and if no one wins, the promotion will be held again during halftime of the men's game with three new lucky contestants. Tickets can be purchased online at https://tickets.mtu.edu/ or by calling 906-487-2073.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

Northwood is 4-14 overall and 2-7 in the GLIAC coming into this week's game against the Huskies Thursday night. The Timberwolves are looking to end a four game losing skid after setbacks against Hillsdale, Ohio Dominican, Grand Valley State, and Ferris State. Northwood's last victory was a 60-50 win at Lewis on December 30th. Nick Spitzley powers the Northwood offense with a 10.9 points per game average and is converting 78.6% of his shots at the free throw line. PJ Weaver posts 9.2 points per game and Zach Allread averages 8.8 ppg. Brad Schaub grabs 5.6 rebounds per night.

Lake Superior State is 9-4 overall and tied for second in the GLIAC North Division along with the Huskies thanks to a 6-3 mark in the conference. The Lakers lead the GLIAC in points per game (93.0), field goals made per game (33.3), three-point shooting percentage (40.8), and assists per game (18.1). Lake Superior State is second in the GLIAC in overall field goal percentage (49.9%). Akaemji Williams guides the Lakers' offense with 23 points per game and is also second in the GLIAC in scoring. Blake Marquardt records 14.4 ppg, Carson Manger generates 12.5 ppg, and Michael Nicholson pours in 12.4 ppg. Nicholson is also the team leader in the rebounding department with a 7.0 boards per game average and is third in the GLIAC in field goal percentage (64.3%). The Lakers are surrendering 80.8 points per game to opponents.

COACH LUKE

Kevin Luke, the winningest coach in Michigan Tech basketball history begins his 23rd season leading the Huskies in 2016-17. He has earned a plethora of accolades since his appointment as the program's 11th head coach in May of 1994. Luke has guided the Huskies to five Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, earned eight NCAA Tournament berths and won his 300th game in a 74-72 victory over Grand Valley State on March 2, 2011.

NEXT UP

The Huskies will stay in Houghton next week for games three and four of the homestand against Grand Valley State on Thursday and Ferris State on Saturday. Tip-off times are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.