PREVIEW: Huskies Entertain Davenport and Grand Valley State

Michigan Tech Game Notes (PDF)
Thurs. Feb. 20 • 5:30 p.m. vs Davenport • Sat. Feb. 22 • 1 p.m. vs Grand Valley State
Michigan Tech (9-15, 7-10 GLIAC) vs Davenport (7-18, 2-15 GLIAC) and Grand Valley State (23-2, 15-2 GLIAC)
Radio: Mix93 FM WKMJ (Mitch Lake)
Video Stream: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/mtu/
Audio Stream: Pasty.net
Live Stats: https://www.michigantechhuskies.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/schedule

2019-20 WEEK 14 IN REVIEW
Michigan Tech won one game and fell in another last weekend on the road at Ferris State and Lake Superior State. The Huskies suffered a 79-70 setback against the Bulldogs before bouncing back with a convincing 75-61 victory against the Lakers on Saturday.

On Thursday, the Huskies fell behind by as many as 21-points in the second half, before charging back to get within striking distance down the stretch. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were able to hit some key shots to retain the edge and preserve the win. Senior Hannah Hobson powered the Huskies with a team high 17 points followed by sophomore Ellie Mackay with 16 points Thursday night. Junior Cassidy Trotter tossed in 12 points, dished out nine assists, and grabbed nine rebounds. Senior Ellie Welsh ended the evening with eights and freshman Katelyn Meister along with senior Abbie Botz recorded seven points. In addition, Botz matched Trotter in the rebound department with seven boards.

In Saturday's win at Lake Superior State, The Huskies engineered a 25-13 second quarter to establish a foothold in the contest and set the tone for the final two periods. Mackay guided the Huskies with 17 points, thanks in part to five three-point baskets finding the mark on Saturday. Trotter and Botz each closed the contest with 13 points and Hobson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points. Freshman Sara Dax generated nine points and seven rebounds while Meister chipped in five points and reeled in seven boards. Welsh wrapped up the day with eight points, five rebounds, and four assists.

SENIOR DAY
Michigan Tech will honor four seniors between games against Grand Valley State in the SDC Gym Saturday afternoon. Forward Abbie Botz, guard/forward Hannah Hobson, forward Michelle LaFave, and guard Ellie Welsh will be recognized for their contributions to the program during their careers at Tech. A banquet honoring the senior classes for both the women's and men's programs will be held in the SDC Gym shortly after the conclusion of the doubleheader.

GLIAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS
The Huskies are now 24 games into the 2019-20 season and they rank near the top of the conference in a number of statistical categories. The Huskies are third in the conference in fewest turnovers per game (13.8). Tech is sixth in successful three-point baskets per contest (6.7) and fifth in three-point shooting percentage (32.3). The Huskies check in at No. 2 in free throw shooting percentage at 80.0 percent. Tech is fifth in the GLIAC in steals per game (8.4) and fourth in blocked shots per game (3.5). Trotter is currently ranked 16th 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 (7.6). Trotter enters this weekend seventh in the GLIAC in assists per game at 3.8 while ranking second in the GLIAC with a 2.8 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
Davenport enters Thursday's game with an overall record of 7-18 and 2-15 in the GLIAC. The Panthers have dropped two consecutive games, including a 75-52 setback at Saginaw Valley State this past Saturday. Davenport's most recent victory was a 74-63 decision at home against Wayne State on February 8. Davenport leads the GLIAC in field goal attempts per game (65.9), are second in offensive rebounds per game (12.6) and steals per game (10.8), and fourth in field goals made per contest (26.2). The Panthers are paced by Madison Jones at 16.8 points per game followed by Toni Grace at 14.6 points per game and Jenna Falkenberg at 13.7 points per contest. Falkenberg hauls down 7.5 rebounds per game while Scout Nelson dishes out 2.9 assists per contest. The Huskies lead the brief all-time series with the Panthers 4-1, but fell in the first meeting of this season on the road on January 25th 81-66. Mackay paced the Huskies' offense with 13 points, connecting on all seven of her chances at the free throw line while dishing out six assists. Hobson followed with 11 points, Trotter had nine points, and Botz chipped in eight points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Welsh and senior Michelle LaFave also contributed eight points each in Saturday's contest.

Grand Valley State is 23-2 overall and 15-2 in the GLIAC as they get set to battle Northern Michigan in Marquette Thursday night. The Lakers have won 10 of their last 11 contests, including a 67-51 win at Northwood this past Saturday. Their only losses of the season have come at the hands of Ashland. Grand Valley State boasts one of the top defenses in the conference. The Lakers lead the league in fewest points allowed per game (50.1), blocks per game (6.4), opponents' field goal percentage (32.9%), opponents' three-point percentage (26.1%), and defensive rebounds per game 30.0. The offense is second in field goal percentage (47.2%) and third in points per game (74.2). Cassidy Boensch powers the Huskies in scoring and rebounding at 20.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game respectively. Michigan Tech leads the all-time series with Grand Valley State 48-32, but fell 70-44 at GVSU on January 23. Mackay paced the Huskies with seven points followed by Hobson and freshman Kylie Mogen who each tossed in six points. Mogen and LaFave both had two assists while Dax hauled down a team high eight 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 close out the regular season next Thursday when they travel to Marquette to face rival Northern Michigan. The Wildcats are 11-14 overall and 8-9 in the GLIAC as they get set to host Grand Valley State and Davenport this week as well.