In a thrilling showdown, the Michigan Tech Huskies triumphed over the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons with a final score of 68-62, marking their third consecutive victory and ending the Tritons' impressive seven-game winning streak. This game was a testament to the Huskies' resilience and strategic play.
The victory brings the Huskies' overall record to 7-2, and 2-0 in the GLIAC, while the Tritons now stand at 7-2 overall and 4-0 in the GLVC.
"" stated Michigan Tech head coach Sam Clayton.
Michigan Tech's defense was a key factor, forcing 18 turnovers, which they capitalized on for 17 points. Ella Mason led the Huskies with 18 points, showcasing her accuracy from the free-throw line, hitting 7 out of 9 attempts. Janie Tormanen contributed 12 points and 4 rebounds, while Soraya Timms added 10 points and a team-high 4 assists. Kloe Zentkowski secured a team-leading 6 rebounds in her 19 minutes on the court.
The game started with a back-and-forth battle, with the lead changing hands 7 times early on. However, the Huskies managed to pull away in the first quarter, thanks to two free throws by Mason with 1:05 left in the quarter.
The Huskies then went on a 9-0 run, shutting out the Tritons for the final 2:07 of the first quarter. Dani Nuest's 3-pointer gave the Huskies the lead, and Mason sealed the quarter with the final 4 points, giving them a 23-17 advantage.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Tritons responded in the second quarter, going on a 9-2 run to reclaim the lead at the 5:10 mark. USML outscored the Huskies 19-10 in the quarter, taking a 36-31 lead into halftime. Mara Rieder and Lexi Hanna each scored 10 points in the first half, while Morgan Ramthun led with 7 rebounds. Despite trailing, the Huskies didn't commit a turnover in the first quarter, while forcing 8 turnovers by the Tritons.
The third quarter saw the Huskies fight back, tying the game at 40-all with 4:15 left, thanks to a layup by Alyssa Wypych. They also held USML scoreless for over three minutes during this crucial stretch.
Kaitlyn Maxwell provided a spark off the bench in the third quarter with 5 points, including a 3-pointer, giving Michigan Tech a 46-44 lead. Mason added free throws, and the Huskies outscored the Tritons 17-10 in the quarter, leading 48-46 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter. Timms' early 3-pointer and Standfest's layup extended the lead to 7 points (53-46), but the Tritons fought back, tying the game at 53-all.
And this is the part most people miss... The Huskies showed their mettle, hitting crucial shots down the stretch. They scored 9 points in crunch time, with Maxwell's triple with 28 seconds remaining giving them a 10-point lead (67-57). Tormanen's layups and Timms' shot from the paint further solidified their lead.
The Tritons were forced to foul in the closing seconds, and Mason's free throw sealed the deal at 68-62.
Mara Rieder of the Tritons had a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Lexi Hanna finished with 15 points.
What do you think? Do you believe the Huskies' defensive pressure was the key to their victory, or did the Tritons' second-quarter comeback demonstrate their resilience? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Looking Ahead: The Huskies will conclude their non-conference schedule at home next week, facing Northwood at the SDC Gymnasium on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
