Tech earns fifth straight win

KENOSHA, Wis. - Strong defense and above-average shooting led Michigan Tech men's basketball to a 90-75 victory over Wisconsin Parkside Saturday night at De Simone Arena. Adam Hobson led the offense with 20 points, including a furry of three-pointers in the second half to help the Huskies create scoreboard separation. Veterans Owen White and Trent Bell posted 19 points apiece and Bell added a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds. 

It was the fifth straight win for Tech, which improved to 11-3 in the GLIAC North Division, 15-5 overall. Wisconsin Parkside saw its three-game win streak come to an end as the Rangers fell to 8-6, 11-10 overall.

"It was a great team win over a very well-coached team tonight," said head coach Josh Buettner. "Everyone contributed today. I loved our balance on offense and how we shared the ball. Our defensive intensity to start the second half was awesome."

The Huskies led 48-42 at halftime after shooting 53.3-percent from the field and 7-for-16 from 3-point range. Hobson helped extend MTU's lead to as many as 20 points in the second half and connected on 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. GLIAC leading scorer Tray Croft fought back by making a series of difficult jump shots for the Rangers but the Huskies continued to contest in the lane and never trailed.

Tech finished 56-percent (32-for-57) overall and 45.8-percent (11-for-24) from downtown. Parkside edged Michigan Tech 31-30 in rebounds but the Huskies committed just five turnovers and recorded 26 assists. Carter Johnston guarded Croft and passed a team-best nine assists over 33 minutes on the floor. Kyle Clow was effective off the bench with eight points and 10 rebounds.

White was efficient, shooting 7-for-10 and scoring 11 of his 19 points in the second half.

Croft led the Rangers with 20 points to match his season average. Jamir Simpson had a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds. Colin O'Rourke also marked 16 points. Wisconsin Parkside shot 46-percent overall (29-for-59), including 53-percent (8-for-15) from 3-point range.

The Huskies remain on the road next Thursday, February 10 against Davenport. Tech is in second place in the GLIAC North Division behind Ferris State (12-0) with six games left in the regular season.