HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech used a dominating first half performance to defeat Grand Valley State, 72-48, and hand the Lakers their first loss in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Sophomores Katie Wysocky and Danae Danen tallied 21 points and eight rebounds apiece to pace the Huskies, who won their fifth straight overall to improve to 11-3 on the season.

"We played tremendous defense — especially in the first half," said head coach John Barnes. "I really liked our intensity on both ends of the floor, and our top players rose to the occasion."

The 21-point games from Wysocky and Danen were perhaps not the most impressive performances of the day. Catherine Rottier, who missed last Wednesday's (Jan. 2) game with injury, returned to notch a career-high 12 assists — two off the school record. The senior point guard also registered six points and six rebounds.

Tech controlled first half play. Not only did the Huskies shoot 54 percent from the field, they used tenacious defense to hold the Lakers to just six field goals in the opening 20 minutes. The Black and Gold also worked the boards for a 23-11 advantage in the opening frame.

The score was 9-8 in the early going before the Huskies went on a 15-0 run capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Katie Zimmerman. The margin expanded to as many as 26 points before the hosts settled for a 37-14 halftime lead.

Grand Valley State played nearly even with Tech in the second half, but could never reduce the point spread to less than 21.

Danen and Wysocky combined to block nine shots in the game. Danen's mark of five was just one short of tying a school record.

Tech finished the game at 56 percent from the field including an 11-of-21 effort from 3-point range. The final rebounding margin revealed a 35-22 Huskies' advantage. GVSU finished at 31 percent from the floor and 4-of-14 from long range.

Michigan Tech, which is undefeated in six games at home in 2007-08, will travel to face Northwood next Thursday (Jan. 10) in Midland, Mich.