No. 23 Huskies Shut Down Bulldogs After Half for 65-50 Win
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ferris State (7-5, 5-4 GLIAC) | 36 | 14 | 50 |
|
Michigan Tech (12-1, 8-1 GLIAC) | 35 | 30 | 65 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech held Ferris State to 14 second-half points in a 65-50 GLIAC women's basketball victory at the SDC Gym tonight. The Huskies trailed 36-35 at halftime, but rallied by limiting the Bulldogs to just five field goals after intermission.
"Ferris came out with a high-powered offense, and we responded really well in the second half," said Tech coach Kim Cameron. "We played the way we're capable of playing on the defensive end, and hopefully we can carry that through the weekend."
A back-and-forth first half saw six lead changes. The Bulldogs were shooting 67 percent deep into the first half before cooling off a bit for a 58 percent mark at halftime. Tech overcame a 20-8 rebounding deficit by committing just three turnovers compared to FSU's 10 in the first 20 minutes.
Kylie Moxley was a big factor in Tech's first half, making 5-of-6 field goals in just seven minutes of action.
Tech (12-1, 8-1 GLIAC) opened the second half on a 10-0 run as Danielle Blake blocked a pair of shots. The Bulldogs (7-5, 5-4 GLIAC) misfired on six consecutive field goal attempts and turned the ball over three times during the spurt.
The margin grew to 13 points as the Huskies held FSU to just two points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Tech continued its dominant defense through the end of the half as it allowed just 14 points in the stanza.
Morgan Anderson's 3-pointer with just under two minutes left iced the win for the Huskies.
The Black and Gold used a balanced effort offensively with six players scoring eight points or more. Moxley led the way with 15 off the bench.
"It feels great to be able to contribute," she said. "My teammates have been pushing me really hard in practice and have helped me get better. It was nice to carry it over to a game."
Anderson, with 13 points, was the only other Husky in double figures. All five Tech starters had at least eight. Jillian Ritchie posted team highs of six rebounds, nine assists and three steals to go with eight points.
Tech's defense has now held three straight opponents to 50 points or less. Tonight, the Huskies had 11 steals and forced 21 FSU turnovers while committing just five.
No Bulldogs starter had more than seven points. Christina Branch notched 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench to pace the visitors.
Michigan Tech will wrap up a four-game home stand with a noon tipoff vs. Grand Valley State on Saturday (Jan. 17). The Lakers sit just one game back of the Huskies in the GLIAC North Division standings.
Notes: Tech had 23 assists with just five turnovers in the game … The Huskies are now 62-6 at home under Coach Cameron.
