Women's Hoops Remains Unbeaten in GLIAC with Win over Tiffin
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tiffin (3-7, 0-6 GLIAC) | 22 | 39 | 61 |
|
Michigan Tech (8-2, 6-0 GLIAC) | 30 | 38 | 68 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech closed the game on an 8-0 run to defeat Tiffin 68-61 and remain perfect in GLIAC play. The Huskies led by eight at half, but held off a hard-charging Dragons squad to win their seventh consecutive game.
"We're not playing consistently, but we're finding ways to win," said coach Kim Cameron. "We've been resilient and tough all season, and our defense was good in the right spots."
After a slow first half, Tiffin (3-7, 0-6 GLIAC) put up 39 points in the second. Karli Mast poured in 16 points in the frame including a rare four-point play at the 2:25 mark. That gave the visitors their only lead of the game, 61-60.
Mackenzie Perttu immediately answered with a 3-pointer on a set play to regain the advantage for the Huskies. They would not relinquish it. Perttu came up with a steal on the defensive end, and Jillian Ritchie added a layup for a 65-61 lead.
Two more TU turnovers and free throws from Kylie Moxley and Perttu accounted for the final margin.
A big part of Tech being in position to win the game down the stretch was the play of its bench. The Black and Gold maintained the lead with all five starters out of the game for a lengthy stretch early in the half.
Taylor Stippel scored six points, and Kelly Guy hit a timely 3-pointer.
The starting cast returned to the game midway through the half. Moxley scored three straight baskets in the paint as part of a 13-point half before Mast hit back-to-back triples and the go-ahead free throw.
"Our reserve players did awesome," said Cameron. "They work really hard in practice and deserved a chance.
"I thought it really helped our starters to see the game from the sidelines for a few minutes and see some things they could take advantage of. They came back in and played like they had something to prove."
Perttu finished as the team's leader in points (20), rebounds (nine) and steals (four). Moxley added 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
The Huskies finished at 45 percent from the field compared to 35 percent for the visitors. Tech also held a 38-29 rebounding advantage in the contest.
Michigan Tech will continue GLIAC play next week on the road. The Huskies play at Lake Erie Thursday (Jan. 9) and Ashland Saturday (Jan. 11). Saturday's game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network at 11:30 a.m.
Notes: The Huskies opened the game with a 13-2 run and led 30-22 at intermission … Michigan Tech held a 28-16 advantage in points in the paint.