Hillsdale Comes from Behind to Top Huskies 66-61

Video: Coach Luke Interview

HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale hit back-to-back 3-pointers to break a 58-all deadlock and eventually earn a 66-61 victory over Michigan Tech tonight in GLIAC men's basketball. The Huskies held a 37-24 lead at halftime, but could not hold on for the season sweep of the Chargers.

Tech (9-13, 8-10 GLIAC) maintained a 10-point lead with 10:49 remaining as Luke Heller made a three-point play.

HC (13-9, 9-9 GLIAC) forced 11 second half turnovers and converted 22 points off those. It eventually pulled into a 54-all tie with six minutes to go. Heller put the visitors back on top by two points twice more down the stretch, but it was tied at 58-all with 2:20 to go.

Kyle Monroe had a 3-point attempt to regain the lead with 2:02 left that missed. Hillsdale did not miss its try as Zack Miller knocked down a trey with 1:50 to go.

The hosts added another triple with 50 seconds left for a 64-58 score. Monroe answered with a three to pull his Huskies back within three at :26. Tech fouled on the inbounds pass and got a miss on the front end of a 1-and-1. HC's Joe Cooper came up with the rebound, however, and iced the game with two foul shots.

"I'm at a loss right now as to why we turned it over so much in the second half," said Tech coach Kevin Luke. "It we cut that number in half, we win going away.

"But much like we did in the game at our place, Hillsdale hit the big shots to get the win."

Heller and Monroe both finished with 19 points. Heller's came on 9-of-10 shooting. He also had five assists.

Tech shot 54 percent and committed just three turnovers in the opening half en route to a 37-24 lead. Hillsdale shot 60 percent in the second half and finished at 47 percent. The hosts made 10 more at the free throw line (14-of-17) compared to the Huskies (4-of-7).

Michigan Tech will return to action on Saturday (Feb. 13) at Saginaw Valley State with its final road game of the regular season. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.