UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — The Michigan Tech men's basketball team battled back from an eight-point halftime deficit to gain a 60-55 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory at Saginaw Valley State today. The Huskies had seven different players score at least six points and the defense held in key situations to propel the visitors to 8-7 overall and 3-4 in league play.

Tech had wide open looks from 3-point range the entire first half but struggled by making just 4-of-17. Freshman Mike Szatko had two of those makes from long range to keep the Huskies within 30-22 at the half.

SVSU opened the second stanza by making a 3-pointer to expand the lead to 11. Tech then went on a 13-3 run sparked by three straight layups from Kris Alpers. The 6-9 center added a free throw and layup minutes later for nine consecutive Tech points. The Huskies finally took the lead on Robby Springborn's free throws with nine minutes to play.

Brandon Ball's second 3-pointer of the season made it a 50-45 score with 4:09 to go. SVSU's Mike Zuiderveen scored a put-back layup on the ensuing possession, but that would be their final field goal until there were only 12 seconds to play. Tech cashed in on 8-of-10 free throws in the final minute to put away its second straight GLIAC win.

"This was a total team win," said head coach Kevin Luke. "I didn't have to say much at halftime. The guys took it upon themselves to rise to the challenge. Everybody played their roles, and we're always happy to get a road win in the GLIAC."

Springborn and Tim Strom, who missed Thursday's (Jan. 10) game with injury, finished with 11 points apiece to lead the Huskies' scoring effort. Alpers added nine points — all during the second-half outburst. Fedrick Bowe tallied six points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Cardinals were led by Mario Mackey's 23 points. He tallied 16 of those in the first half, but the Huskies limited him to just seven in the second frame.

SVSU shot 37 percent from the field compared to just 31 percent for Michigan Tech. The Huskies capitalized on a 43-38 rebounding advantage and just six turnovers for the contest.

Michigan Tech, which will play eight of its final 11 games at home, takes on Wayne State Thurdsay (Jan. 17) at 7:30 p.m.