Release courtesy of Wes Frahm, MTU Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing

HOUGHTON, Mich. — The No. 5-ranked Michigan Tech women’s basketball team advanced to its fourth straight GLIAC Tournament Championship game with a 69-58 victory over Hillsdale today at the SDC Gym. Seniors Lucy Dernovsek and Lisa Staehlin both recorded double-doubles to lift the Huskies to 25-2 overall.

Click here for the GLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament page

Tech missed its first nine shots of the game, but still trailed by just four at the most. The Huskies got going when Lynn Giesler came off the bench and made three straight layups for a 17-13 home advantage. The Black and Gold would make three more layups in a row—all on putbacks—for a 10-point margin.

The gap grew to as many as 15 before Hillsdale closed within 31-20 at the break.

Hillsdale hung around the entire second half, making things interesting when a 3-pointer closed the margin to 56-51 at the 4:10 mark. Sam Hoyt missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing trip down the floor, but a Dernovsek offensive rebound eventually led to a triple by Lucy. Staehlin then hit two shots to push the gap back to double figures where it stayed.

“It was a battle today,” said head coach Kim Cameron, who was named GLIAC Coach of the Year yesterday. “Their defense slowed us down, and we were clumsy on offense.

“Our outside shots weren’t falling today, so we needed to get it into our posts. Their play inside was the key for us.”

Staehlin went 6-of-9 from the floor for her 14 points and also added 10 rebounds and two blocks. Giesler tallied eight points without missing a shot.

Dernovsek had game highs of 17 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Lindsey Lindstrom and Angela Guisfredi also reached double figures with 10 points apiece.

Tech held a 37-29 rebounding advantage and turned 15 offensive boards into 20 second-chance points. Shooting percentages for both teams were similar (44 for Tech and 42 for Hillsdale).

Michigan Tech will face Ashland tomorrow (Mar. 6) in the GLIAC Tournament Championship game. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.