Huskies Edged by FSU in Overtime 80-78
| Final | 1 | 2 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ferris State (18-4, 12-4 GLIAC) | 40 | 32 | 8 | 80 |
|
Michigan Tech (8-12,7-9 GLIAC) | 33 | 39 | 6 | 78 |
Video: Highlights | Coach Luke Interview | Luke Heller & Kyle Monroe Interview
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Kyle Monroe poured in a career-high 35 points, and Michigan Tech took Ferris State into overtime, but the visiting Bulldogs came out with an 80-78 GLIAC men's basketball victory.
Bryan Heath hit a 3-pointer for a 70-68 lead with 3:33 to play, and two Monroe free throws gave Tech another two-point lead with 2:28 to go. Jibreel Jackson tied the game at 72 with 1:51 to play, and that would be the last of the scoring in regulation.
Both teams had chances for the go-ahead basket in the final two minutes. Heath missed a triple try at 1:25, and Tech turned the ball over with :26 to play. Ferris missed a short shot as time expired to send the game to the extra session.
Jeff Gregory had a 3-pointer rattle out to start overtime, and the Bulldogs got one to bank in from the top of the key 10 seconds later. Jared Stolicker's layup with 3:16 to play put the visitors up 79-74, and would be their last points until a free throw with :02 left. FSU missed one layup, had one turnover and missed two front-end free throws during the ensuing stretch.
Luke Heller scored four straight points to pull Tech within one. He had a free throw at 2:25, a layup after he grabbed a rebound from his own free throw miss with 1:38 to go, and split two foul shots with :17 to play, leaving the Bulldogs up 79-78.
A front-end free throw miss by Ferris set up the Black and Gold with possession and seven seconds to play. Tech tried to get the ball into Monroe's hands, but he bumped into a teammate and fumbled the pass, turning it over. Jackson made 1-of-2 free throws for an 80-78 lead.
Dillon Gordon's desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer misfired.
"Credit goes to Ferris State. They defended us hard and made the plays to get the win," said Tech coach Kevin Luke. "Credit has to go to our guys as well. We lost by 30 at their place a couple weeks ago, and played much better tonight.
"I thought our defense was good enough, we just missed some shots that could have won it."
All three of Tech's 3-point attempts in the extra session seemed to go halfway down and bounce out.
Monroe scored all 35 of his points in regulation, making 12-of-18 from the field and all eight of his free throws. Heller had 12 points and a career-high seven assists—most of them on back-door plays to Monroe.
Tech shot 45 percent for the game compared to 50 percent for the Bulldogs. FSU held a 39-33 rebounding advantage and 13-9 mark in second-chance points.
Michigan Tech (8-12, 7-9 GLIAC) will try to bounce back on Saturday (Feb. 6) when it hosts Grand Valley State. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
