HOUGHTON, Mich. — Despite a game-high 30 points from junior Robby Springborn, Michigan Tech's men's basketball season came to an end today at the SDC Gym. Lake Superior State defeated the Huskies, 87-73, in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal. The Lakers shot 59.2 percent from the field including a blazing 71 percent in the second half to end the careers of Tech's four seniors: Tim Strom, Josh Makela, Kyle Pullen and Kevin Maloney.

"Credit goes to their shooters," said head coach Kevin Luke. "I thought our defense was a little soft, but they exploded on the offensive end and made the shots today."

Tech limited LSSU to just three points through the first eight minutes and jumped out to an 11-3 lead. The visitors answered with a 9-0 run and built up a 32-26 at halftime.

A Don Fowler 3-pointer on the Huskies' first possession of the second half trimmed the margin to five, but that's as close as they would get. The Lakers countered with six straight points and proceeded to made 7-of-10 3-pointers down the stretch to close out the game.

LSSU's field goal mark was 20 percent better than Tech's, which was 39. The Lakers also used a 32-25 rebounding advantage.

Springborn's second career 30-point outing came off nine field goals (six 3-pointers) and 6-of-6 foul shooting. Strom, who didn't start the game because of illness, finished with nine points. Maloney and Sean Geary also tallied nine points apiece.

Makela started the game and notched six points and four rebounds. Pullen played eight minutes in his final game in a black and gold jersey.

"Losing these four seniors means a lot," said Luke. "They have given us their best and have been great leaders for our program. They've got us going in the right direction."

Michigan Tech finishes its 87th season on the hardwood with a 13-14 record. The program has made 12 straight trips to the GLIAC Tournament.

Notes: Strom finishes his career with 1,118 points — good for 17th all-time at Michigan Tech ... Lake Superior State advances to the GLIAC Tournament semifinals at Grand Valley State on Friday (March 7) and will play either GVSU or Findlay.