MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Michigan Tech Huskies men's basketball team overcame a seven point halftime deficit and led by as many as nine in the second stanza but ultimately lost to Northern Michigan 66-62 at the Berry Events Center today. The hosts used a 53 percent shooting mark from the field compared to the 34 percent by Tech.

"I thought we looked a little rusty in the first half," said 15th-year head coach Kevin Luke. "I thought the we played hard enough, but the turnovers killed us. Our decisions weren't sharp, and our execution in the final six minutes cost us the game."

Northern Michigan came charging out of the gates and quickly jumped out to a 7-0 lead before a Mike Hojnacki three-pointer cut the lead to four. The Black and Gold committed eight turnovers in the first half and shot only 29 percent from the field. Michigan Tech had only one lead in the first half thanks to a Robby Springborn three ball at the 3:09 mark which gave the visitors a 25-24 edge. The Wildcats then went on a 10-2 run to conclude the half for a score of 34-27 at the break.

Michigan Tech started the second half with a 10-3 run sparked by a Fedrick Bowe jumper less than fifteen seconds in. NMU held a 43-39 edge at the 12:39 mark before the visiting Huskies went on a 20-7 run. During the run, Georgio Holt, Brandon Ball, and Springborn drained a three point bucket, while Sean Geary canned a pair of long range bombs of his own. Brian Olley also chipped in a pair of free throws to give Michigan Tech a 59-50 lead at the 6:28 mark.

The ‘Cats came roaring back with a run of their own that spanned the remainder of the game. The Huskies grew cold from the floor, scoring only a trio of points in the final six and a half, which their arch rivals were able to muster sixteen. Down by three with nine seconds remaining, Geary accepted an inbound pass by Springborn, but was called for traveling with five seconds remaining. Northern Michigan then ended the game with an Austin Rowe free throw.

The Huskies finished the night 17-18 from the free throw line for an impressive 94.4 percent and 11-24 from beyond the arc for a 45.8 percent clip.

Bowe was the high point man with 15 on the evening to go along with five rebounds and a pair of assists.Ball had a well rounded contest, compiling three points, five rebounds, three assists, a block, and a pair of steals.

Hojnacki, the 6-9 freshman from Milwaukee, Wis., garnered player of the game laurels, collecting 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists in just 17 minutes of work off the bench.

With the loss, the Huskies fell to 6-5 and 3-3 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Wildcats moved up to 8-3 and 3-3 in the GLIAC.

Michigan Tech will return to the friendly confines of the SDC Gym for a pair of GLIAC games next week against the Eagles of Ashland University, and GLIAC newcomers the Tiffin Dragons. Tip off against Ashland is slated for 7:30 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 8) and for 3:00 against the Dragons on Saturday (Jan 10).