Huskies Handle Finlandia in Exhibition Hoops
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Finlandia (0-0) | 20 | 31 | 51 |
|
Michigan Tech (0-0) | 33 | 46 | 79 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Six Michigan Tech players had nine points or more in a 79-51 victory over Finlandia in a men's basketball exhibition game at the SDC Gym tonight. The Huskies shot 50 percent from the floor in their final tuneup before the regular season opener Nov. 19.
Finlandia hung within six with three minutes to go in the first half before freshman Bryan Heath scored seven straight points for a 13-point margin, which would be the difference at halftime (33-20).
Tech was a little more assertive on offense in the second half, and poured in 46 points. The margin grew from 13 to 22 in the first four minutes after intermission thanks to back-to-back 3-pointers from Dillon Gordon and Jeff Gregory.
The Huskies used 14 players in the second half, and shot 59 percent from the field and 57 percent from 3-point range in the stanza.
"It was really good for us to get in a game situation," said Tech coach Kevin Luke. "We were hesitant in the first half, got calmed down at half and played better in the second half."
Luke Heller posted a game-high 16 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Heath (13 points), Gordon (11) and Eric Cass (11) were the others in double figures.
Tech outrebounded FinnU by a 39-27 margin with the help of freshman Kyle Monroe. He notched 14 rebounds (10 in the opening 20 minutes) to go with nine points and a pair of blocks.
Michigan Tech will officially begin its 2015-16 campaign on Thursday, Nov. 19, when it hosts non-conference rival Minnesota Duluth. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
