Huskies fall in GLIAC Championship Sunday
![[1] #5 Grand Valley State](https://cdn.prestosports.com/action/cdn/logos/id/o8g2u4y0zviofmwc.png)
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Michigan Tech | 16 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 54 |
|
[1] #5 Grand Valley State | 8 | 20 | 13 | 21 | 62 |
ALLENDALE, Mich. – Emily Spitzley scored 25 points to help No. 5 Grand Valley State over No. 22 Michigan Tech 62-54 in the GLIAC women's basketball championship Sunday afternoon at GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Huskies snapped a six-game win streak while the Lakers nabbed their 12th straight victory.
Michigan Tech (25-6) opened with strong 3-point shooting and held a 16-8 edge after one quarter, but missed each of their final five shots nearing the end of the game.
"I thought we competed hard from start to finish," said head coach Sam Clayton. "Our overall effort was there. We just came up a little bit short against a very good Grand Valley State team. Credit to them for how they played. I'm proud of our season and tournament and hopefully, we'll get another shot at the NCAA tournament."
Alex Rondorf led Tech with 19 points on an efficient 7 of 11 from the field with six rebounds. Isabella Lenz added 15 points and a team-high six assists.
"Alex did a ton for us today on both ends of the floor," Clayton said. "To do that as a senior on this team means a lot."
The Lakers outscored the Huskies 20-12 in the second quarter to tie the score 28-28 at halftime. The teams exchanged the lead in the third quarter before Nicole Kamin assisted Grand Valley State (19-2) with eight points in the fourth.
Trailing by five with one minute to play, Kamin, Ellie Droste, Hannah Kulas, and Hadley Miller all made free throws for GVSU.
Michigan Tech shot 33 percent (19-58) overall, but struggled from the 3-point line from the second quarter on and finished 9-for-32 (28.1 percent) from downtown.
Tech was also in foul trouble at times, and the Lakers downed 19 of 25 free throws. Sara Dax and Ellie Mackay led the Huskies with seven rebounds apiece but Grand Valley State won the category 36-32, including nine on the offensive glass.
Michigan Tech passed 15 assists and committed 12 turnovers. Tessa Leece and Katelyn Meister contributed 16 minutes each off the bench and combined for six points.
Michigan Tech was ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Midwest Region rankings on Wednesday behind Ashland, Drury, and Grand Valley State. The NCAA selection show, announcing at-large bids begins Sunday night at 10:30 p.m. EST on NCAA.com.
The NCAA Midwest Region quarterfinals begin on Friday, March 10 with the No. 1 seed in the tournament as host.
All-Tournament Team
Emily Spitzley, Grand Valley State
Paige Vanstee, Grand Valley State
Isabella Lenz, Michigan Tech
Ellie Mackay, Michigan Tech
Chloe Idoni, Ferris State
Kaitlyn Zarycki, Saginaw Valley State
MVP
Emily Spitzley, Grand Valley State
