Ansel aids Husky win over Wolves

ABERDEEN, S.D. - Five players made it to double figures and Michigan Tech shot over 55-percent to snap Northern State's four-game win streak with an 81-69 victory in the Dakotah Bank Classic Saturday night at Wachs Arena. Daisy Ansel posted 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists to lead the way for the Huskies. Ellie Mackay (14 pts, three rebounds, three assists), Alex Rondorf (12 pts, four rebounds), Katelyn Meister (11 pts, five rebounds), and Clara Johnson (10 points) also contributed to MTU's highest point total so far this season.

"I was really happy with our overall performance tonight, especially our transition offense," commented head coach Sam Clayton. "Anytime you can get five players 10 or more points is a good thing. I thought Daisy stepped up for us in all aspects of the game. She really scored it efficiently, rebounded well, and distributed the ball to her teammates."

Following an 8-0 Northern State run to start the game, Michigan Tech came alive in the second quarter. Katelyn Meister gave the Huskies their first lead 14-12 on a 3-pointer passed in by Sloane Zenner and Tech never looked back, shooting 12-for-19 in the third quarter (63.2-percent) for 30 points and extending their advantage to 26 points with 6:16 left on the clock in the fourth quarter.

Mackay downed 6 of 11 shots and went 2 of 4 from the 3-point arc. Meister was an efficient 5-7 and Rondorf made 5-8 with a pair of free throws for 12 points in the game and 28 points over the weekend. Ten MTU players appeared on the offensive stat sheet, including Sara Dax (nine points), and Isabella Lenz (seven points) off the bench. The Huskies also connected on 50-percent of shots from downtown (8-19). 

Northern State outpaced the Huskies in the fourth quarter 21-17 and won the rebound category 35-34. Kailee Olverson tallied 14 points (5-8) with four rebounds while Haley Johnson had 13 points (5-9) and eight boards for NSU. The Wolves shot 40-percent (24-60) overall but struggled from long range (4-19, 21-percent). Northern State also made frequent trips to the free-throw line (17-23, 74-percent). Both teams committed 11 turnovers

Michigan Tech (5-1, 0-0 GLIAC) scored better than 80 points for the first time this season Saturday, a feat they achieved three times in 2020-21.

The Huskies open play in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Saturday, December 4 at 1 p.m. at Northwood University. Northern State (4-3, 1-0 NSIC) continues at Minot State Thursday, December 2.