PREVIEW: Huskies contend with Lakers in GLIAC Semifinals

HOUGHTON, Mich. - The postseason continues for No. 8 seed Michigan Tech men's basketball Saturday at 5:30 p.m. after their thrilling victory at No. 1 seed Wisconsin Parkside in the GLIAC quarterfinals Wednesday night.

The Huskies take on No. 5 seed Grand Valley State at Jim Wink Arena (Ferris State hosts) in the semifinals and the winner will play No. 2 seed Ferris State or No. 3 seed Northern Michigan for the GLIAC Championship on Sunday. Michigan Tech is 0-2 against Grand Valley State this season and fell 74-61 at GVSU Fieldhouse on January 21.

Saturday's game will be streamed on FloSports with radio coverage online at pasty.net and on Y-101 WUPY in the Keweenaw.

QUARTERFINAL MADNESS

Marcus Tomashek posted a season-high 26 points to help Tech defeat Parkside on their home court. The Huskies led by as many as 14 in the second half and held off a late push by the Rangers to pick up their first victory over UWP in three tries this season. Pete Calcaterra shot 7-for-10 for 19 points with eight rebounds. Nate Abel came off the bench for 11 points and took two charges in the second half to help the Huskies maintain the lead. Dan Gherezgher contributed 13 points and five rebounds.

LAKERS ON WEDNESDAY

GVSU got past Lake Superior State 68-64 at Bud Cooper Gymnasium. The Lakers trailed by 10 with 16:49 left in the second half but proceeded on a 13-4 run to the 7:14 mark. Trevor Smith led the Lakers with 13 points and shot 5-for-8 from the floor. Jalen Charity scored 10 points and Marius Grazulis marked a game-high nine rebounds. GVSU won the battle on the glass and out-rebounded LSSU 34-32. GVSU's bench contributed 35 points.

MARCUS BREAKS OUT

Tomashek's stalwart performance Wednesday night sharply contrasted Senior Day last Saturday, in which he shot 1-for-10 for five points. The overall trend is positive for the Ashwaubenon High School graduate, with three games of 20 or more points and 14 games in double figures. The freshman also totaled a season-high 36 minutes and finished 8-for-16 from the floor, 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. He was also perfect (6-6) at the free throw line.

TERRIAN DOES THE DIRTY WORK

Freshman Josh Terrian may not have any points in his last three games, but there are good reasons why Head Coach Josh Buettner has made him the only player on the squad to start all 28 games so far. Terrian brings an edge to the game, evidenced Wednesday late in the second half. On a scramble for a crucial rebound, Terrian dove to the floor along with a Ranger forward and as the two wrestled for control, Terrian recognized his opponent was lying on the baseline. Rather than shovel a risky pass from his back, he simply set the ball on the player's back. A whistle for out of bounds ensured a clock stoppage and insurance for retaining possession.

SCOUTING THE LAKERS (18-11, 11-7)

• The Lakers lost to Saginaw Valley State in the GLIAC quarterfinals last spring, but have taken it a step further this season.
• Projected to finish sixth this year in the conference, the Lakers began a new era this season under head coach Cornell Mann. Mann was most recently assistant coach at Missouri (2017- 21) and had previous stops at Oakland (2016-17), Dayton (2008-11), Western Michigan (2003-08), and Central Michigan (2001-03).
• GVSU added nine newcomers this year, including three transfers and six true freshmen. Of the seven returners, four saw time on court in 2021-22.
• The Huskies suffered a disappointing five point loss at Grand Valley State the last time the two teams met in Allendale. Dan Gherezgher posted 20 points. Brad Simonsen scored 10 off the bench and the Huskies led by 11 in the second half but it still wasn't enough.
• The Lakers earned 38 free throw attempts and converted 26 (68.4-percent).
• The Huskies shot 45.6 percent from the floor (26-57) and 35.7 percent (10-28) from beyond the arc. GVSU pulled down 37 rebounds compared to Tech's 31 and MTU's assist-to-turnover ratio evened out 11-11.
• Grand Valley State used a strong start to the second half to pull away from Michigan Tech 74-61 in January in Houghton. The Lakers used a 13-0 after halftime to pull away.
• GVSU closed the regular season with a 90-84 home win over Ferris State and has won three of its last five.

BIG PICTURE

• Tech has been selected for entry in the NCAA Region Tournament two of the last three years and has not finished below .500 overall since 2018-19. 
• In 101 seasons, the squad has made 11 NCAA appearances and won three GLIAC Tournament titles.
• The Huskies were selected fifth in the D2SIDA preseason midwest region rankings poll.