Huskies Complete Road Sweep with 71-60 Score at GVSU

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ALLENDALE, Mich. — Ben Stelzer scored 29 points, and the Michigan Tech men's basketball team shot 52 percent to earn a 71-60 win at Grand Valley State today. Stelzer buried five 3-pointers in the game to become Tech's all-time leader in 3-point field goal makes (338).

The teams battled through the first 10 minutes with neither leading by more than three. The Huskies got some separation in the final seven minutes as Stelzer scored eight points for a 32-23 lead. After a GVSU basket, Jason Hawke and Nic Stoll added layups for an 11-point advantage at the break (36-25).

That separation turned out to be the difference in the game.

Stelzer drained a 3-pointer to start the second half, but the hosts closed within 47-39 on their only triple of the game.

Luke Heller then converted a three-point play on a pretty spin move in the paint at the 13:08 mark. The play not only pushed the margin back to double figures, but also quieted the crowd of 1,778.

Back-to-back turnovers allowed GVSU to come back within 55-48 with just under five minutes to play. Jordan Chartier made both foul shots of a one-and-one to push the gap back to nine.

Heller then made two great passes to Stelzer for layups to maintain the lead. The Black and Gold made 9-of-10 free throws in the final three minutes to earn the win.

"Any time you can come on the road and win two games, any coach in America would be excited," said Tech's Kevin Luke, who coached his 600th game for the Huskies. "These two games were important for us coming back from a rough stretch last week.

"When we do things the Tech way and compete hard, it's fun to watch because we're a good team."

Tech made 23-of-44 field goals and 9-of-20 (45 percent) from behind the arc. The Huskies also converted 16-of-20 free throws. GVSU shot 22-of-52 (42 percent) from the field, 1-of-7 from 3-point range and 15-of-24 from the foul line.

GVSU's Ricardo Carbajal was a tough defensive assignment for the Huskies all day. The Lakers post player had 24 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Stelzer's 29 points helped him move up two notches on Tech's all-time scoring list during the game, passing Austin Armga (2010-14; 1,577 points) and Rod Ruth (1983-87, 1,582). The senior now has 1,589 career points for eighth on the list.

Chartier had 13 points, four assists and just one turnover against tough defensive pressure. Heller notched 10 points, a team-high six rebounds and three assists.

Michigan Tech will return home to play Hillsdale on Thursday (Feb. 12) and Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Feb. 14).

Notes: Coach Luke's career record is 376-224 (.627) … Jason Marcotte (2001-05) held the previous career record for 3-point field goals made (335) … Stelzer has scored 79 points in his last three games.