HOUGHTON, Mich. -- The Michigan Tech women's basketball team has held 14 different opponents under 60 points this season. Tonight that feat was especially gratifying for Coach John Barnes' squad. The Huskies held Ferris State to 23 points below its season average and claimed a 66-52 win in front of 1,421 Winter Carnival fans at the SDC Gym.

Tech's defensive intensity limited the Bulldogs to 34 percent field goal shooting and forced 16 turnovers.

The hosts built up a 36-23 halftime lead with the help of an 8-0 run to end the half. Brooke Sirard's acrobatic layup turned into a three-point play at the 5:38 mark and provided spark to the home crowd. Three minutes later, Jenna Bartels drained back-to-back three-pointers for a 34-23 advantage. Sirard capped off the run with another layup for the 13-point intermission bulge.

Ferris cut the margin to eight (44-36) at the 12:18 mark of the second half before Sirard's bucket less than two minutes later made it a double digit lead for good. Catherine Rottier took a charge on the Bulldog's ensuing possession, then cashed in a layup on the offensive end for two of her game-high 19 points. Down the stretch, MTU put together another 8-0 run to seal the victory.

Sirard finished with 11 points to go with three rebounds and two blocks. Maria Schneider tallied 12 points and five assists. Sarah Magee also turned in a solid game with eight points and seven rebounds.

Tech shot a respectable 46 percent from the floor and made six three-pointers in the game. FSU owned a 43-32 rebounding advantage with the help of 15 offensive caroms.

Michigan Tech (16-5, 12-2 GLIAC) will remain at home to close out its home league schedule Saturday (Feb. 11) vs. Lake Superior State at 1 p.m.

Notes: Tech has a home contest vs. Finlandia scheduled for Feb. 22 . . . Rottier is averaging nearly 18 points over the last four games . . . Sirard tied her career high in points.