PREVIEW: Huskies on the Road at Ferris State and Lake Superior State

Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)
Thurs. Feb. 13 • 7:30 p.m. at Ferris State • Sat. Feb. 15 • 1 p.m. at Lake Superior State
Michigan Tech (8-14, 6-9 GLIAC) at Ferris State (16-7, 10-5 GLIAC) and Lake Superior State (6-16, 2-13 GLIAC)
Radio: Mix93 FM WKMJ (Kirk McDonnell)
Video Stream: https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/schedule
Audio Stream: Pasty.net
Live Stats: https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/schedule

2019-20 WEEK 13 IN REVIEW
Michigan Tech split two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contests at home last week for Winter Carnival. The Huskies defeated Purdue Northwest in the Thursday night game 63-53 followed by a tough 80-66 loss to Parkside on Saturday afternoon. In Thursday's win, it was the sixth time this season that Tech's defense has limited an opponent to 60 points or fewer in a contest this year. The Huskies are unbeaten in those machup's.

Sophomore Ellie Mackay wrapped up the night as Tech's leading scorer thanks to 16 points against the Pride. Junior Cassidy Trotter followed with 14 points while freshman Sara Dax had a season high 12 points and paced the team on the glass with nine rebounds. Senior Hannah Hobson fired in nine points and added five rebounds, senior Ellie Welsh chipped in seven points, and freshman Kylie Mogen reeled in eight of the Huskies 38 boards in the contest. As a team, the Huskies connected on 22 of 46 shots from the field (47.8%), were 4 of 16 from behind the three-point arc (25.0%), and 15 of 20 at the free throw line (75.0%). Tech out-rebounded Purdue Northwest 38-30, had 12 combined assists, and scored 28 points in the paint.

In Saturday's battle with Parkside, Trotter powered the Huskies with 22 points and five steals followed by Hobson with 15 points and two blocked shots. Sophomore Ellie Mackay posted nine points and freshman Katelyn Meister ended the contest with five points and a team high five rebounds. As a team, Tech found the target on 25 of 55 shots from the field (45.5%), were 3 for 17 from three-point range (17.6%), and 13 of 16 at the free throw line (81.3%). The defense forced 21 turnovers by Parkside which led to 29 points on the offensive end of the floor.

IN CONTENTION
The Huskies enter the final five games of the season battling for a spot in the upcoming GLIAC Tournament which will begin on Tuesday March 3 with the quarterfinal round. Ashland and Grand Valley State have already clinched playoff spots with the other six teams still to be decided. Tech is currently tied for seventh with Wayne State in the overall standings, which determines the tournament teams. Saginaw Valley State is in 6th one game ahead of Tech and Wayne State while three games separate the Huskies from Northern Michigan for fifth. Northwood and Purdue Northwest are still vying for a spot in the postseason, each one game in back of the Huskies and Warriors.

GLIAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS
The Huskies are now 22 games into the 2019-20 season and they rank near the top of the conference in a number of statistical categories. The Huskies are first in the conference in fewest turnovers per game (13.6). Tech is seventh in successful three-point baskets per contest (6.2) and eighth in three-point shooting percentage (30.6). The Huskies check in at No. 2 in free throw shooting percentage at 80.4 percent. Tech is fifth in the GLIAC in steals per game (8.3) and fourth in blocked shots per game (3.6). Trotter is currently ranked 15th in the GLIAC in scoring at 12.7 points per game with Botz holding the No. 6 spot in the conference in rebounds per game (7.9). Trotter enters this weekend seventh in the GLIAC in assists per game at 3.6 while ranking second in the GLIAC with a 2.9 steals per game average.

GLIAC PRESEASON POLL
Michigan Tech was selected to finish first in the GLIAC North Division this year when the coaches' preseason poll was announced Thursday by the conference office. Tech earned 58 points in the poll along with eight first place votes, edging out Northern Michigan who was picked second with 53 points and four first place votes. Ferris State checked in at the No. 3 spot in the North Division with 40 points followed by Parkside with 32 points (No. 4), Lake Superior State had 19 points (No. 5), and Purdue Northwest was issued 14 points (No. 6). Over in the South Division, Grand Valley State holds the No. 1 spot with 61 points and 11 first place votes followed by Ashland University with 51 points and one first place vote. Northwood checks in at No. 3 with 38 points, Wayne State is fourth with 30 points, Davenport lands in the No. 5 spot with 20 points, and Saginaw Valley State is sixth with 16 points.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Ferris State is 16-7 overall and 10-5 versus GLIAC opponents heading into Thursday's showdown with the Huskies. The Bulldogs are tied for first in the GLIAC North Division and tied for third in the overall standings. The Bulldogs are coming off a 67-66 win at home against Northwood University this past Saturday. Ferris State ranks second in the GLIAC in scoring at 78.6 points per game along with total field goals made per game at 28.7. The Bulldogs pace the league in free throws made per contest (14.6) and are second in assists each time they take the floor (17.5). Defensively, Ferris State is second in the GLIAC in steals per game (11.0) through 23 contests. Riley Blair powers the offense with a 21.1 points per game scoring average followed by Adrienne Anderson at 14.8 points per game. Blair is the top rebounder on the club as well with a 5.4 boards per game average. Michigan Tech leads the all-time series with Ferris State 52-28. The Huskies suffered a tough 80-73 overtime loss at home on January 18 against the Bulldogs. Botz powered the Huskies with 17 points and 15 rebounds for another double-double in Saturday's contest. Mackay followed with 15 points, Hobson tossed in 12 points, and Trotter chipped in 10 points and six assists. The Huskies made 30 of 79 shots from the field (38.0%), were 6 of 27 from three-point range (22.2%), and 7 of 9 at the free throw line (77.8%). Tech posted 27 points off of 18 Ferris State turnovers and recorded 42 points in the paint.

Lake Superior State is 6-16 overall and 2-13 in the GLIAC as they get set to host Northern Michigan Thursday night. The Lakers have dropped 11 straight games, including an 82-60 setback at home against Saginaw Valley State this past Saturday. Lake Superior State is third in the GLIAC in free throw attempts per game (17.2) and are fifth in fewest points allowed at 65.9 per night. Lexie Khon paces the offense with a 12.5 points per game scoring average while Mattison Rayman hauls down a team high 8.1 rebounds per contest. Michigan Tech leads the all-time series against Lake Superior State 63-37. The Huskies defeated the Lakers 62-52 in Houghton on January 16 and have not lost to LSSU since February 25, 2008 in a 56-53 decision at home. Earlier this season against the Lakers, Trotter paced the Huskies with 20 points while adding six steals, four assists, and four rebounds to the stat sheet. Botz tossed in 14 points and matched a career high with 17 rebounds.

COACH HOYT
Sam Hoyt was named as the ninth head coach of the Michigan Tech women's basketball program, Director of Athletics Suzanne Sanregret announced Tuesday (May 29, 2018). Hoyt returns to Tech from the University of Sioux Falls where she served as an assistant coach. Hoyt was a standout player for the Huskies, helping lead the program to the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship game as well as garnering multiple individual awards, including All-American Honorable Mention honors. In her first season at Tech (2018-19), Hoyt guided the Huskies to a 21-9 overall record and a 16-4 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Huskies claimed their 16th GLIAC North Division/Conference title last season and were the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament.

NEXT UP
The Huskies return home to host Davenport and Grand Valley State next Thursday and Saturday. Saturday's contest against the Lakers will also be Senior Day. Davenport and Grand Valley State both play Northwood and Saginaw Valley State this weekend.