HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Eighty-one percent second-half shooting and a defense that allowed a school-record low 11 points in the first half propelled the Michigan Tech men's basketball team to a 60-49 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory today at the SDC Gym. The Huskies have won nine consecutive games dating back to Jan. 5.

Northwood held a 5-4 lead until the 12:43 mark of the opening frame when Tim Strom drained a three-pointer. Eight minutes later, Fedrick Bowe finished off a 14-2 Tech run with a layup off a nice feed from Josh Makela. Radayl Richardson scored five straight points to help the Huskies close the half on top, 23-11.

Strom turned up his play a notch in the second half. The 6-7 forward scored nine of Tech's first 15 points to open the second half. His three-point play put the hosts ahead by a 38-18 count with 13:07 to go. The margin remained in double figures the entire second half, although the Timberwolves had it cut to 12 at the 9:31 mark. NU didn't score again until the 6:58 mark when the gap was back up to 16 points. A three-point play by Northwood with 16 seconds left accounted for the 60-49 final.

Strom scored a game-high 19 points, with 14 of those coming in the final 20 minutes. Richardson finished the game with 14 points and five rebounds. Bowe led the Huskies in rebounds with seven.

Tech held a 36-23 rebounding advantage and also shot much better from the field (56 percent compared to 34 percent for NU).

Michigan Tech (12-8, 8-3 GLIAC) will travel for two road games in Erie, Pa., next week. The Huskies face Gannon Thursday (Feb. 2) at 8 p.m. and Mercyhurst Saturday (Feb. 4) at 3 p.m.

Notes: Tech bettered its school record for fewest points allowed in a half from earlier this season when it held Lake Superior State to 12 (Jan. 7) . . . MTU has now held six opponents under 50 points this season -- the first time a men's squad has held more than four foes under 50 since the 1947-48 season.