Huskies complete Lake Superior State sweep 69-49
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lake Superior State | 13 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 49 |
|
Michigan Tech | 13 | 13 | 23 | 20 | 69 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Second half scoring and stingy defense prevailed as the Huskies defeated Lake Superior State 69-49 Saturday afternoon in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball at SDC Gymnasium. Jordan Ludescher led Michigan Tech with 15 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Cassidy Trotter was impressive for the second straight day with 14 points, four assists, and four rebounds. MTU moved to 5-1 overall with their third straight victory while LSSU fell to 1-5.
"We simply made shots in the second half that we didn't in the first," commented head coach Sam Hoyt. "Our defense really gets our offense going when we can bring energy and urgency on that end. We defended, and that kept us in the game. Eventually it allowed us time to get shots to start falling. Ellie (Mackay) continues to be a really tough player and does a great job leading us in the defensive element."
The Huskies opened the first quarter with just three made field goals on their first 15 attempts. Ludescher and Mackay managed back-to-back layups just before halftime to keep Tech within one possession of a tie 29-26. Alex Rondorf also scored seven points early.
Ludescher drew the home bench into a frenzy when she swished a 3-point shot at the top of the arc to give MTU the lead 32-29 just over a minute into the third quarter. MTU Momentum intensified with a block by Ludescher and soon the Huskies increased their shooting percentage substantially.
"Jordan was really aggressive in the second half especially," Hoyt said. "She really sparked us offensively going right at the basket."
Tech extended their second half separation to 49-41 heading into the fourth quarter and Ludescher and Trotter smoothly drained threes in transition to cement the win. Stifling man-to-man defense was again the team's calling card with Mackay frequently at the forefront of the effort.
Rebounding was another contributing factor to the victory and the Huskies grabbed 46 boards compared to LSSU's 28. Tech shot 40-percent (22-for-54) overall, including 7-for-23 (30-percent) from 3-point range. Rondorf helped keep the team afloat in the first half and finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and one steal.
Makenzie Bray led the Lakers with 12 points (4 of 10) with three rebounds and one steal. Jaden Wilden had 11 points, two rebounds, and Taylor Bryant marked a team high five rebounds. Lake Superior State shot 30-percent (16-for-54) from the floor and 19-percent (4-for-21) from the 3-point line.
Both teams visited the free throw line often. The Huskies won the category after going 18-for-21 (85.7-percent). LSSU connected on 13 of 17 free throws (76.5-percent). Last year's leading scorer Mattison Rayman collected four personal fouls and as a result, saw her minutes diminish to 24.
Michigan Tech outscored Lake Superior State 20-8 in the fourth quarter. They swatted six blocks, including two each by Ludescher and Kylie Mogen.
Michigan Tech (5-1, 5-1 GLIAC) continues its march toward three games in five days when they host Northern Michigan (4-1,4-1) Tuesday, January 26 at 5:30 p.m. EST.
