No. 19 Huskies sink No. 9 Lakers again, extend streak to 13

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Michigan Tech women's basketball extended its streak to 13 straight wins and completed a two-game road sweep over No. 9 Grand Valley State 54-44 at GVSU Fieldhouse Arena Saturday afternoon in a defensive showcase. The Huskies took care of the basketball with just six turnovers and made free throws late to secure victory. Tech also limited the Lakers to just 29-percent shooting and held GVSU leading scorer Emily Spitzley to three points.

No. 19 Michigan Tech (15-1) locked up first place in the GLIAC North Division with two regular season games left until the conference tournament in Westville, Indiana. Grand Valley State (13-3) remained atop the South Division by three wins over Northwood.

A low scoring first half featured six lead changes but no team led by more than four points. The Huskies were ahead 20-19 at halftime and built a 29-22 lead with 6:15 left in the third quarter before the Lakers cut the deficit to 38-36 entering the final quarter.

With just under three minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Huskies finally found the scoreboard separation they had been seeking. The short momentum swing began when Ellie Mackay quickly scored on an inbound play. Cassidy Trotter immediately stole a pass at the baseline and made it to the free throw line for a 52-44 edge. Trotter made two more free throws with 23 seconds remaining to help Michigan Tech to its first three possession advantage of the afternoon.

Mackay led the Huskies in scoring with 16 points (7-for-17) and Katelyn Meister finished one point shy of her season high with 12 points (4-for-7).  The Huskies shot 38.8-percent overall and went 4-for-19 (21.1-percent) from the 3-point arc. Tech also converted 12 of 16 free throws (75-percent). Forward Jordan Ludescher took in nine rebounds coupled with seven points.

Grand Valley State shot 15-for-52 from the field and 4-for-15 (26.7-percent) from long range. The Lakers out-rebounded the Huskies 37-36 and made 14 turnovers contrasted to 10 assists. Hannah Kulas led GVSU with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Ellie Droste and Rylie Bisballe were both effective off the bench. Droste notched six points while Bisballe had five points and nine boards.

Michigan Tech returns to Houghton to close out the regular season against North Division foe Wisconsin-Parkside (8-7). Fans can tune in to Mix 93.5 or watch via MTU Stretch Internet Portal on Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27. Both games tip off at 3 p.m. Saturday, the team will recognize its seniors for their contributions to the program.

The last time Michigan Tech women's basketball won 13 games in a row was in 2014-15. The longest win streak in program history is 18 games (2010-11).