Tech Men Top Lake Superior 91-87
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lake Superior State (18-9, 13-8 GLIAC) | 37 | 50 | 87 |
|
Michigan Tech (10-15, 9-12GLIAC) | 48 | 43 | 91 |
Video: Highlights | Coach Luke Interview | Bryan Heath Interview | Kyle Stankowski Interview
HOUGHTON, Mich. — The Michigan Tech men's basketball earned a hard-fought, 91-87 victory over Lake Superior State on Senior Day at the SDC Gym. The Lakers trimmed a 19-point deficit to two a total of four times in the final five minutes, but the Huskies held on for their 10th win of the campaign.
Tech (10-15, 9-12 GLIAC) led by 11 at the half and expanded the margin to 58-39 within the first three minutes of the second.
The gap stayed in double digits until the 10:06 mark, with Devin Daly's putback. The visitors would eventually get within 77-75 at the 4:29 mark, but missed two 3-pointers and two free throws over the next minute and a half that could have tied the score of given them the lead.
Dillon Gordon's floater with 2:13 pushed the gap back up to four. Bryan Heath and Jeff Gregory then each sank a pair of foul shots for an eight-point margin with 1:06 to play.
LSSU answered with two free throws from Daly, and back-to-back steals to again pull within two (85-83) with 38 ticks left. Gregory was fouled and sank two more to push the margin to four at the :32 mark.
Akaemji Williams did make a layup in the final seconds, but the Lakers missed two more 3-point attempts while the Huskies cashed in on 4-of-6 free throws to ice the game.
"It was a crazy game," said Tech coach Kevin Luke. "It had a little bit of everything.
"We couldn't make a shot on Thursday, but hit some big ones today. We had too many turnovers, but we made our free throws to cap it off."
Tech shot 57 percent from the floor compared to 40 percent for LSSU. That made up for a committing 17 turnovers and giving up 17 offensive rebounds to the Lakers. The Huskies were 32-of-37 from the foul line in a very physical contest.
All five Tech starters scored in double figures led by Heath's 18 points. Kyle Monroe and Dillon Gordon posted 16 points apiece. Luke Heller and Gregory each had a dozen points. Gregory's came on just one field goal and 9-of-10 foul shooting.
Kyle Stankowski posted a game highs of 10 rebounds and five blocks to go with nine points.
Tech's three seniors—Heller, Stankowski and Connor McLeod—were honored prior to the game.
Michigan Tech will conclude its 2015-16 season on Thursday (Feb. 25) by hosting rival Northern Michigan. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised live on FOX UP through most of the Upper Peninsula.
