Gherezgher Posts Season-High in Win over Purdue Northwest

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HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech men's basketball team got a season-high 26 points from sophomore guard Dan Gherezgher, propelling the Huskies past Purdue Northwest in a 77-61 victory at the SDC Gymnasium on Thursday.

Michigan Tech elevates to 7-14 overall and 4-8 in the league, while Purdue Northwest drops to 11-11 overall and 5-7 in the loop.

"It was once again a physical game and I thought our guys did a nice job responding to Purdue's physicalness," head coach Josh Buettner said. "I thought we did a nice job on the glass, taking care of the ball and playing inside-out basketball. We had some guys do a good job with decision-making once we got in the paint."

The Huskies shot 54 percent from the field for the game and went 15-for-30 in the opening 20 minutes to head into the halftime break with a nine-point lead (39-30).

Purdue Northwest had its largest lead of the game come within the first five minutes of action with a layup from Brendan Temple making it 10-7 at the 15:06 mark. 

The Black & Gold went on an 8-0 with Gherezgher accounting for five points with a monster dunk and a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions, helping the Huskies pull ahead by seven in 2:30 minutes. 

The Pride put together a run of their own when Michigan Tech's Matt Schmainda provided big moments for the Huskies with two 3-pointers, pushing Tech back to a seven-point edge (23-16).

Michigan Tech held a double-digit lead down the stretch of the first half, although a buzz-beater by Jaylon Gentry put the Pride back to a single-digit deficit heading into halftime trailing 39-30. Gherezgher was the lone scorer in double-figures with 17 points through 20 minutes.

The two teams battled in the second half, with Purdue Northwest getting within striking distance with 12:44 to play following a free-throw by Brendan Temple. However, the Huskies would keep applying pressure and never give up the lead.

The Pride cut the lead to six points with just under seven minutes to play, but the Huskies once again put together a run with baskets by Marcus Tomashek and Gherezgher, pushing the lead back to double-digits.

Tech would have a 17-point lead two times before reaching their largest lead of the game with a layup by Adam Hobson at the 1:19 mark before the game was decided at 77-61.

"Coach emphasized team defense all week and how we need to be better at that and I think our energy on the defensive side is what won us the game," Gherezgher mentioned. "It was good to be home and play in front of the fans and everyone who supports us."

Gherezgher led all scorers with 26 points and secured a double-double with 10 rebounds. He also dished out a team-high four assists.

Brendan Temple posted 16 points to lead the Pride as Jaylon Gentry added 13. Temple and CJ Jackson each recorded a team-leading five rebounds. 

Up Next

The Huskies remain at home welcoming Parkside to the SDC Gymnasium on Saturday, slated for a 2 p.m. tipoff.