Box Score

The Michigan Tech University backcourt duo of Austin Armga and Ben Stelzer combined to score 47 points in the GLIAC semifinal, ending the Malone University men's basketball team's (15-13) postseason run with a 75-62 victory in favor of the Huskies on Saturday afternoon. The win sets up a Championship Game on Sunday between fourth-seeded Michigan Tech and the tournament's host, the second-seeded University of Findlay Oilers.  UF advanced to the finals with a 104-74 victory over third-seeded Walsh University earlier in the day.
 
Armga scored 26 points for the Huskies while Stelzer scored 21 points thanks to five three-pointers. Senior and First Team All-GLIAC selection Isiah Elliott scored 22 points and added six rebounds, and six assists in his last game donning the blue and white. Senior Vince Kazmierczak also reached double figures, adding 11 points in his final career game.
 
Stelzer connected on two three-pointers in the game's opening minute to propel Michigan Tech to a 13-3 lead at the contest's first media timeout. The Huskies (22-6) would lead wire-to-wire to earn a trip to the finals, although eighth-seeded Malone did manage to claw back to within 24-20 with 5:30 to play in the first half. Michigan Tech then responded with a 10-4 run to close the half, capped by another Stelzer three-pointer to end the period.
 
The Huskies used the first 10 minutes of the second half to build a comfortable cushion over the Pioneers. An Armga layup with 7:39 remaining gave Michigan Tech its biggest lead of the game, an 18-point advantage over Malone. The Pioneers tried to step on the accelerator, pulling to within nine points with 1:06 to go before running out of time.
 
Michigan Tech posted impressive offensive statistics, shooting 25-of-52 (48%) from the field, 9-of-21 (43%) from behind the arc, and 16-of-18 (89%) from the free-throw line. Malone was 23-of-60 (38%) from the floor, 7-of-29 (24%) from three, and 9-of-15 (60%) from the line. Michigan Tech also held a 17 to five edge in second-chance points.
 
In addition to Elliott and Kazmierczak, key seniors Cory Veldhuizen, Che Richardson, and Daniel Wise played in their final games for Malone. The 15 wins posted by Malone this season were the most since they won 18 back in the 2010-11 season.

On Sunday, following the conclusion of the Championship Game, Elliott was named to the GLIAC All-Tournament Team.

Senior Stats: Elliott ends his career 14th on Malone's all-time scoring list (1533), tied for 33rd in career rebounds (456), eighth in assists (458) and sixth in steals (190)…Veldhuizen is 16th on the all-time rebounding list (642) and 24th in career points (1343)…Richardson tallied 764 career points, 420 rebounds, and 150 steals…his 68 blocked shots rank sixth all-time at Malone…In just two years, Kazmierczak posted 288 points, 101 rebounds and 43 assists while knocking down 38.4% of his three-pointers…Wise also excelled in his two years in a Pioneer uniform, accumulating 340 points, 176 rebounds and 23 blocked shots.