Stories written by Michigan Tech Athletics; MTU Photo

SATURDAY GAME RECAP

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Huskies required two overtimes to down Saginaw Valley State 80-70 Saturday afternoon. Ellie Mackay put the finishing touches on the win with two cold-blooded 3-point makes in the second extra session. Mackay led Michigan Tech with 22 points and the Huskies extended their win streak to eight straight games with the weekend sweep over the Cardinals at James O'Neill Jr. Arena in GLIAC women's basketball.

"Words cannot describe how incredibly proud I am of this team for their perseverance through a double overtime road game," commented head coach Sam Hoyt. "We showed a lot of poise down the stretch, even when we were down by three with only a minute left. We executed and our defense came up big yet again. Ellie's ability to make two threes in double overtime created the separation we needed, and Katelyn Meister and Jordan Ludescher had some big baskets to get us into overtime." 

The Huskies took a 29-25 lead into halftime and the score stayed close throughout. The Cardinals used the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to close a five-point gap and Tori Deperry made one free throw to tie the game 59-59 with 32 seconds left in regulation.

Michigan Tech turned over the basketball with 20 seconds on the clock but breathed a sigh of relief when SVSU's Maddie Barrie found the rim as time expired from the corner.

Both teams missed shots to open overtime but began trading baskets until the one-minute mark, when the Cardinals seized the upper hand 66-62. The Huskies buckled down on defense and both Bailie McGirk and Ludescher made layups to force another tie 66-66.

Ellie Mackay found an opening for 3-points just 14 seconds into double overtime. Ludescher pitched in two points and then Mackay found the long-range jumper again for a decisive 74-68 edge with three minutes, six seconds left. The Cardinals managed just two points the rest of the way.

Michigan Tech (10-1, 10-1 GLIAC) shot 41.2-percent (28-for-68), including 28.6-percent (6-for-21) from 3-point range. Mackay went 7-for-19 from the field and 6-for-6 from the free throw line to tally 22 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Ludescher finished 7-for-13 for 16 points. Ludescher also had seven rebounds and one steal. Katelyn Meister scored 13 points and grabbed seven boards and Alex Rondorf assisted with 10 points and three steals off the bench.

Kaitlyn Zarycki led the Cardinals with 16 points (7-19) and seven assists. Tori DePerry (15 points), Kyndall Spires (11 points), and Maddie Barrie (10) also made it to double-figures. SVSU shot 45.9-percent from the floor with 25-percent of 3-point makes (6-for-24). Saginaw Valley out-rebounded the Huskies 38-27 and passed 16 assists compared to 10 for MTU.

Michigan Tech (10-1, 10-1 GLIAC) holds a three-game lead over second place Northern Michigan (7-4) in the GLIAC North Division standings. Tech has not lost since January 15 against Northwood. Saginaw Valley (4-7, 4-7) lost their third game in four outings but became the first team this year to cross the 60-point threshold against the stingy Tech defense.

The Cardinals travel to Ferris State next weekend. Michigan Tech returns home to host Davenport for two games beginning Friday, February 12 at 3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY GAME RECAP
 

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Sara Dax came off the bench for 14 points and seven rebounds and Michigan Tech women's basketball rolled to its seventh straight victory Friday afternoon at James O'Neill Jr. Arena against Saginaw Valley State 63-52. The Huskies limited the Cardinals top scorers and committed just 12 turnovers to compliment an efficient offensive day.

"It was another great team win on the road against a quality Saginaw Valley State team today," said head coach Sam Hoyt. "I thought our defense was sharp from the start, and Sara came in and provided a huge spark for us offensively."

Dax finished 7-for-9 from the field and added three assists in 24 minutes for MTU. Jordan Ludescher also chipped in 11 points and three rebounds. Ellie Mackay had nine points and eight rebounds. Maddie Maloney led Saginaw Valley State with 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists.

The Huskies outscored the Cardinals 21-11 in the third quarter to build a 14-point lead.

Saginaw Valley State narrowed the margin to seven but Tech locked down on defense to preserve the 11-point win.

The Huskies shot 47.2-percent overall (25-for-53) and 31-percent (6-for-19) from 3-point range. Alex Rondorf and Kylie Mogen notched a pair of 3-pointers apiece for MTU. Saginaw Valley State won the boards battle 30 to 28 and both teams picked off eight steals.

The two-game series concludes Saturday at 3 p.m. at James O'Neill Jr. Arena. Saginaw Valley (4-6) has earned a series split against every opponent except Grand Valley State. Michigan Tech (9-1) has limited opponents to 60 points or less in all 10 contests this season.