HOUGHTON, Mich. -- A stout defense and 17 points each from Radayl Richardson and Tim Strom led Michigan Tech to a hard-fought, 61-49 victory over Ferris State today at the SDC Gym. The win pushed the Huskies overall record over .500 (9-8) and evened their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference slate at 4-4.

"Our defense was outstanding today," said head coach Kevin Luke. "We put the guys through a tough week of practice, and they responded with a big turn around from last Saturday's game (vs. Lake Superior State)."

The lead changed hands six times in the first half before back-to-back baskets from Tech's Chris Baugh and a Kevin Maloney three-pointer put the hosts on top by 11 at the 1:29 mark. Ferris trimmed the margin to 29-22 at halftime.

The Huskies started the second half on an 11-1 run to gain their largest lead of the game (39-23) with 15:31 to play. The Bulldogs then held Tech to two points over the next seven minutes to cut their deficit to 41-39. Michigan Tech weathered the surge and never relinquished the lead.

Richardson's pull-up jumper made it a four-point game at the 8:00 mark and spurred the Huskies on a 9-0 run that left the score, 53-42. Robby Springborn tallied six points -- including a pair of shot clock buzzer-beaters -- and two assists in the final six minutes to help Tech ice its seventh home win of the season.

Richardson had six rebounds to go with his 17 points. Strom scored 15 of his 17 points on five three-pointers. He also tallied a game-high seven rebounds. Maloney finished with eight points.

Tech shot 49 percent from the field and held Ferris State to 39 percent. The Bulldogs misfired on all but three of their 17 long range attempts. The teams combined for a remarkably low 12 turnovers (six for each squad).

Notes: Senior Stephen Folson started his first game of the season and finished with seven points and three rebounds ... Tech is now 7-2 at home ... The Huskies have held 11-of-17 opponents under 40 percent field goal shooting this season.