PREVIEW: Huskies Begin Round 2 of GLIAC Games at Northwood and Saginaw Valley State

Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)
Thurs. Jan. 30 • 6:00 p.m. at Northwood • Sat. Feb. 1 • 1 p.m. at Saginaw Valley State
Michigan Tech (7-11, 5-6 GLIAC) at Northwood (4-15, 2-9 GLIAC) and Saginaw Valley State (8-11, 4-7 GLIAC)
Radio: Mix93 FM WKMJ (Kirk McDonnell)
Video Stream: https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/schedule
Audio Stream: Pasty.net
Live Stats: https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/schedule

2019-20 WEEK 11 IN REVIEW
Michigan Tech struggled a bit last week on the road in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition, falling to No. 3 Grand Valley State 70-44 on Thursday followed by an 81-66 setback at Davenport on Saturday. The Huskies enter games three and four of the current road trip at Northwood and Saginaw Valley State 7-11 overall and 5-6 against GLIAC competition. Tech is currently fourth in the GLIAC North Division standings.

In Thursday's game at Grand Valley State, sophomore Ellie Mackay paced the Huskies with seven points followed by senior Hannah Hobson and freshman Kylie Mogen who each tossed in six points. Mogen and senior Michelle LaFave both had two assists while freshman Sara Dax hauled down a team high eight rebounds. The Huskies connected on 18 of 54 shots from the field (33.3%), were 6 for 20 from behind the three-point arc (30.0%), and 2 for 4 at the free throw line (50.0%).

On Saturday at Davenport, Mackay paced the Huskies' offense again with 13 points, connecting on all seven of her chances at the free throw line while dishing out six assists. Hobson followed with 11 points, junior Cassidy Trotter had nine points, and senior Abbie Botz chipped in eight points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Senior Ellie Welsh and LaFave also contributed eight points each in Saturday's contest. As a team, the Huskies found the target on 26 of 73 shots from the field (35.6%), were 5 of 25 from three-point range (20.0%), and 9 for 9 at the charity stripe (100.0%). Tech out-rebounded Davenport 43-38, had 17 points off 14 Davenport turnovers, 17 second chance points, and 34 points in the paint.

FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE/LEADING AT HALF
Quick starts and solid shooting from the field have been key factors in Tech's wins this season. The Huskies are 6-2 in games where they make 40 percent or more of their field goals. They have identical records of 6-1 when they shoot at a higher percentage rate than the opponent while holding opposing teams to less than 40 percent shooting from the field. Meanwhile, the Huskies are 7-1 this season when they hold a lead at the intermission.

GLIAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS
The Huskies are now 18 games into the 2019-20 season and they rank near the top of the conference in a number of statistical categories. The Huskies are first in the conference in fewest turnovers per game (12.9). Tech is seventh in successful three-point baskets per contest (6.7) and six in three-point shooting percentage (31.7). The Huskies check in at No. 1 in free throw shooting percentage at 80.4 percent. Tech is fifth in the GLIAC in steals per game (8.4) and fifth in blocked shots per game (3.4). Trotter is currently ranked 16th in the GLIAC in scoring at 12.7 points per game with Botz holding the No. 5 spot in the conference in rebounds per game (8.3). Trotter enters this weekend fifth in the GLIAC in assists per game at 3.8 while leading the GLIAC with a 2.9 steals per game average.

GLIAC PRESEASON POLL
Michigan Tech was selected to finish first in the GLIAC North Division this year when the coaches' preseason poll was announced Thursday by the conference office. Tech earned 58 points in the poll along with eight first place votes, edging out Northern Michigan who was picked second with 53 points and four first place votes. Ferris State checked in at the No. 3 spot in the North Division with 40 points followed by Parkside with 32 points (No. 4), Lake Superior State had 19 points (No. 5), and Purdue Northwest was issued 14 points (No. 6). Over in the South Division, Grand Valley State holds the No. 1 spot with 61 points and 11 first place votes followed by Ashland University with 51 points and one first place vote. Northwood checks in at No. 3 with 38 points, Wayne State is fourth with 30 points, Davenport lands in the No. 5 spot with 20 points, and Saginaw Valley State is sixth with 16 points.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Northwood enters Thursday's game with an overall record of 4-15 and 2-9 in GLIAC games this season. The Timberwolves lost both games last week, falling at Ashland 81-58 Thursday while dropping a 68-59 decision at Wayne State on Saturday. Northwood ranks third in the GLIAC in three-point baskets made per game and is second in the conference in most three-point attempts per game so far this year at 24.5. Meanwhile, the defense is holding opponents to the third lowest three-point shooting percentage in the conference at 30.9%. Ellie Taylor leads the Timberwolves' offense in scoring at 11.8 points per game followed by Makenzie Todd at 7.9 points per contest. Taylor guides Northwood in rebounds per game (5.3) and Kenzie Seeley paces the team in assists at 3.3 per night. As a team, Northwood is averaging 59.5 points per game while surrendering 66.7 points per game to opponents. Tech leads the all-time series with Northwood 57-18 and defeated the Timberwolves 69-46 in Houghton on December 7. The Huskies were led that afternoon by Mackay who poured in a game high 19 points while grabbing three rebounds and dishing out four assists. Hobson posted 12 points and had a season high seven rebounds to go along with three blocked shots. Botz added nine points and Trotter finished the contest with eight points and a team high eight rebounds and six assists.

Saginaw Valley State is 8-11 overall and 4-7 in the GLIAC going into Thursday's game against Northern Michigan. The Cardinals have lost three in a row, including 74-64 and 101-47 setbacks at Wayne State and Ashland last week. Saginaw Valley State attempts the third highest number of three-point baskets in the conference at 22.7 and own the fourth highest success rate from long range at 32.9%. Kaitlyn Zarycki powers the offense with a 13.5 points per game scoring average followed by Aaliah Hill at 10.7 points per game. Kaitlyn Geers is the top rebounder on the club with a 5.7 boards per game average while Maddie Maloney dishes out a club best 4.2 assists per game. The Cardinals offense is recording 63.9 points per game while the defense allows 65.6 points per game to opponents. Michigan Tech leads the all-time series 52-35, but lost the first meeting of this season at home 60-59 at the SDC Gym on December 5. Mackay powered the Huskies that night with 18 points, connecting on 7 of 14 shots from the field, which included four makes from behind the three-point arc.

COACH HOYT
Sam Hoyt was named as the ninth head coach of the Michigan Tech women's basketball program, Director of Athletics Suzanne Sanregret announced Tuesday (May 29, 2018). Hoyt returns to Tech from the University of Sioux Falls where she served as an assistant coach. Hoyt was a standout player for the Huskies, helping lead the program to the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship game as well as garnering multiple individual awards, including All-American Honorable Mention honors. In her first season at Tech (2018-19), Hoyt guided the Huskies to a 21-9 overall record and a 16-4 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Huskies claimed their 16th GLIAC North Division/Conference title last season and were the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament.

NEXT UP
The Huskies return home to the friendly confines of the SDC Gym next week to host Purdue Northwest and Parkside on Thursday and Saturday. The Pride are 5-14 overall and 4-7 in the GLIAC and play host to Grand Valley State and Davenport this week. Parkside is 11-8 overall and 8-3 in conference contests and will entertain Davenport along with Grand Valley State this week as well.