MARQUETTE, Mich. — Despite opening the game with a thunderous alley-oop dunk by Tim Strom and jumping out to a 10-1 lead, Michigan Tech was defeated, 61-51, by host Northern Michigan in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball game at the Berry Events Center. The Huskies hurt themselves with 21 turnovers including three in the final three minutes against the Wildcats' zone defense.

Freshman Don Fowler drained back-to-back 3-pointers five minutes into the game to put Tech on top by nine. NMU countered by outscoring the visitors, 24-7, the rest of the half for a 25-17 lead at the break.

Northern Michigan did not relinquish the lead for the entire second half although the Huskies were able stay close. Mike Szatko's second 3-pointer in a one-minute span brought Michigan Tech within 44-43 at the 8:31 mark. The Wildcats' Tyler Kazmierkoski answered immediately with a triple on the other end.

Fowler's tip-in with 3:13 to play made it a six-point game. Tech had two chances to further cut the deficit but turned the ball over twice in a row. A steal and layup by Jerrard Ajami with 1:11 to play and a technical foul to Huskies' head coach Kevin Luke resulted in two Ajami free throws and a 10-point margin that proved too large to overcome.

Tech held a 28-24 rebounding advantage and were slightly better shooting from the field (46 percent compared to 44 percent). NMU benefitted from committing 12 fewer turnovers.

Strom finished the game with 12 points. Fowler tallied 10 points. Center Kris Alpers, who saw constant double- and triple-teams, scored just eight points but grabbed a game- and career-high 13 rebounds.

After seven straight road games to start the season, Michigan Tech will finally play a home game. The Huskies (3-4, 1-2 GLIAC) host Wisconsin-Stout at the SDC Gym Tuesday (Dec. 11) at 7 p.m.