Lakers Top Tech 72-56 in Men's Hoops

Video: Coach Luke Interview

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — A 10-minute scoring drought in the second half doomed Michigan Tech in its 72-56 loss at Lake Superior State today. The game was tied 34-all with 17 minutes to play before LSSU went on a 23-0 run to take control.

Tech (7-11, 6-8 GLIAC) missed nine shots and had five turnovers during the drought, and the Lakers went 9-of-13 during the stretch with four made 3-pointers.

The Huskies showed some heart to cut the 23-point deficit to within 63-52 with 1:34 to go as Tanner Uren and Jason Hawke hit back-to-back 3-pointers.

LSSU (15-5, 10-4 GLIAC) was able to ice the game at the foul line.

"We haven't had a good Saturday, and this was another one," said Tech coach Kevin Luke. "I liked our effort in coming back to tie it, but we didn't play good offense and we didn't play good defense during their run.

"We've got to forget this quickly and move on to Northern (Michigan) on Monday."

The Lakers opened the game on a 7-0 run and led by as many as 10 in the first 20 minutes before Tech closed to within 32-27 at halftime.

Tech's defense was strong through the first three minutes of the second half, and the visitors pulled into a 34-all tie on Dillon Gordon's 3-pointer with 17:14 to play.

The Black and Gold's next point wouldn't come until a Luke Heller three-point play with 7:27 to go.

Uren led Tech in scoring with a career-high 16 points. Heller was the only other Husky in double figures at 12.

Kyle Monroe, who put up 32 points on Thursday (Jan. 28) at Northwood, was held to just five on 2-of-9 shooting.

Lake Superior shot 48 percent from the field and held a 41-30 rebounding advantage. The Huskies shot 35 percent including just 9-of-28 (32 percent) from 3-point range.

Michigan Tech will look to bounce back on Monday (Feb. 1) with its third game in five days. The Huskies face arch rival Northern Michigan for an 8 p.m. tipoff in Marquette.