SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Katie Zimmerman poured in 14 second half points and No. 7-ranked Michigan Tech made 25-of-29 free throws to defeat UW-Parkside 68-56 tonight in the season opener for both women's basketball teams. The Huskies are 1-0 on the season after their victory in their opening game of the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge.

UW-Parkside scored the first nine points of the second half to take a 31-28 advantage. Zimmerman answered with 11 points over the next seven minutes for a 46-39 lead. Zimmerman's fifth 3-pointer of the game at the 5:55 mark pushed the margin into double figures, where it stayed through the final horn.

"Parkside did a nice job to keep us out of our offense," said sixth-year head coach John Barnes, who moved within a win of 100 for his career. "Defense kept us in the game, and that's why we practice defense so much in the preseason.

"Zim did a great job of not letting a couple early misses get to her. She pushed our lead to double figures in the second half."

Michigan Tech held the lead through a long drought in the first stanza. Zimmerman hit a 3-pointer at the 10:16 mark of the opening frame, but the Huskies didn't make a field goal for nearly nine more minutes. Katie Wysocky scored on a put-back at 1:29 on the clock and was fouled. She missed the free throw, but drained a 3-pointer after Lisa Staehlin pulled down an offensive rebound.

The five-point possession made the score 25-17 en route to a 28-22 halftime margin.

Zimmerman finished the game with 17 points including a 5-of-10 mark from 3-point range. Wysocky added 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Tara Ferris also scored 11 points to go with a game-high five assists.

Tech overcame 35 percent field goal shooting by making 25-of-29 free throws (86 percent). The Rangers shot 38 percent for the game and were 12-of-15 at the charity stripe.

Michigan Tech will look to remain undefeated tomorrow when it takes on Lewis in day two of the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge. Tipoff at Bud Cooper Gymnasium is slated for 5:30 p.m.