Tech Men Beat GLIAC-Leading Cardinals Again
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saginaw Valley State (20-5, 16-3 GLIAC) | 28 | 42 | 70 |
|
Michigan Tech (17-6, 14-5 GLIAC) | 31 | 44 | 75 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Ben Stelzer and Luke Heller combined for 45 points in a 75-70 Michigan Tech men's basketball victory over GLIAC-leading Saginaw Valley State today at the SDC Gym. The Huskies (17-6, 14-5 GLIAC) looked sharp on both ends of the floor in earning the season sweep of the Cardinals (20-4, 16-3 GLIAC).
The hosts did just enough to maintain a single-digit lead the entire second half and get their three seniors—Stelzer, Troy Hecht and Phil Romback—a win on senior day.
Tech led for the final 30 minutes of the game after Kyle Stankowski's three-point play midway through the first half. The 6-9 Stankowski added another layup on the next possession for a four-point lead.
SVSU would pull back within three points or fewer 10 more times in the game, but Tech never surrendered the lead.
Heller posted 15 first-half points, making 7-of-9 from the field—all within five feet of the rim. His three-point play on the first possession of the second half kickstarted Tech on a small run that netted the home team it's only double-digit lead of the game (40-30 at the 17:37 mark).
The 10-point cushion lasted all of 23 seconds. The Cardinals were back within four one minute later and within two with 13:00 to play.
A.J. Grazulis made a nice pass to a cutting Jeff Gregory for a layup and a four-point margin on the next trip down the floor.
Stankowski twice more pushed the difference from one score to two over the next three minutes.
Hecht's block of a Kellen Smith layup kept the Black and Gold on top 55-53 with 6:45 left. Stelzer then scored 12 points in the final 6:30 to keep the Cardinals at bay. The senior made six straight free throws to end the game, twice turning a three-point game into a five-point lead.
"I'm proud of the team," said Tech coach Kevin Luke. "We played a good 40 minutes. We couldn't get any separation. They kept chipping away.
"The best part of today is that we took care of the seniors and got them a win."
Tech out-muscled SVSU on the boards for a 33-21 edge. The Huskies converted 14 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points. The hosts also turned 10 Cardinals miscues into 21 points off turnovers.
Stelzer's 25 points came on 8-of-17 shooting. Heller finished 9-of-14 in setting a new career high in points.
Jordan Chartier led the team with a career-high-tying seven assists. He also had a game-high six rebounds with zero turnovers. Stankowski also reached double digits with 11 points.
SVSU was paced by Garrett Hall, who shot 8-of-10 from the field including 4-of-5 from 3-point range for 23 points.
Notes: Tech led 31-28 at half … Saginaw Valley State is 0-2 against Tech this season and 16-1 against all other GLIAC teams … The Huskies now sit in a tie for third in the GLIAC North Division standings … Heller's previous career high was 17.
