Huskies push #25 Bulldogs to the brink, fall in overtime

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - Bookending a nine-game win streak, Michigan Tech men's basketball fell to No. 25 Ferris State 76-72 in overtime Thursday night in a battle of the top two teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Walt Kelser hit the game-tying 3-point shot at the end of regulation for the Bulldogs.

After trading early baskets in overtime, Kelser made a pair of free throws enabling Ferris State to go ahead 74-72. The Huskies turned over the ball with 10 seconds remaining and Dorian Aluyi pushed the game out of reach by going 2-2 from the line.

"I was really proud of the fight our guys showed tonight," said head coach Josh Buettner. "That was Ferris State at their best, pressing the whole game with a lot of energy in their home building and I felt we stayed with them and matched them the whole night. We were up against foul trouble all night with three of our top five missing a good portion of the second half. That makes it tough but we had a lot of guys step up off the bench and play some really valuable minutes. It was an admirable effort by guys like Pete Calcaterra, Kyle Clow, and Tyler Robarge so a ton of credit to them. 

Ferris State (21-6, 16-3 GLIAC) took the GLIAC North Division title over the Huskies (19-6, 15-4 GLIAC) with the win. MTU has not beaten Ferris State at Jim Wink Arena since 2014-15. Kelser was in fine form nearing the end of regulation and in the first half of overtime for the Bulldogs, hitting multiple off-balance fadeaways and the 3-pointer in the corner to send the game to the extra session.

Kelser finished with 32 points and shot 9-for-16, including 12-12 from the free throw line with four steals.

Owen White countered for Michigan Tech with a team-high 24 points and eight rebounds. White shot 8-for-18 and passed three assists in the loss. Adam Hobson (14 points) and Trent Bell (10 points) also made it to double-figures but both encountered foul trouble with Bell missing a good portion of the second half with four personals. 

The Huskies shot 43.1-percent (25-58) overall, including 36-percent (9-25) from beyond the arc. Ferris State took in 34 rebounds compared to 30 for MTU. Carter Johnston had a team-best eight assists. Ferris State's Dorian Aluyi notched a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds. Ben Davidson also scored 14 points off the FSU bench.

The Bulldogs swept the season series against the Huskies. Michigan Tech remained in second place in the GLIAC points standings and closes the regular season Saturday afternoon at Lake Superior State at 3 p.m. The GLIAC quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday, March 2. Top seeds will host.