HOUGHTON, Mich. — Mike Hojnacki and the rest of the Michigan Tech bench combined for 31 points in a 77-69 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball win at the SDC Gym tonight. Hojnacki knocked down four 3-pointers as part of a career-high 17-point night, and the Huskies made 15-of-17 free throws to advance to 7-5 overall and 4-3 in league play.

In all, four Tech players scored in double figures. Robby Springborn tallied a game-high 20 points, while Don Fowler and Sean Geary added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Michigan Tech tallied its highest point total in a GLIAC game since last Feb. 2 at Lake Superior State.

"It was nice to have balance with four guys in double figures," said head coach Kevin Luke. "Outside of a few breakdowns in the first half, our defense played well. Fedrick (Bowe) did a good job guarding (Ashland forward Kale) Richardson."

Richardson, who entered the game leading the GLIAC in scoring at 20.5 per game, was limited to just 12.

Tech held a 30-27 lead at halftime after making seven 3-pointers in the opening frame.

In the second stanza, the hosts margin grew to 38-32 before Ashland went on an 11-0 spurt to grab a five-point edge with 14:10 to play.

Chris Baugh's tip dunk tied the game at 47-all, but the junior was called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim.

The lead changed hands five times heading down the stretch. Hojnacki's 3-pointer with 5:07 to play put the Black and Gold on top for good. Another Hojnacki trey two minutes later made it a seven-point bulge. The Huskies made all 10 of their free throws in the final minute to ice the win.

Tech shot 44.8 percent from the field and was 10-of-30 from behind the arc against the Eagle's 1-3-1 zone. AU connected on 45.2 percent from the floor with six makes on 14 3-point attempts. The hosts held a 38-31 rebounding advantage.

Michigan Tech will return to action Saturday (Jan. 10) at the SDC Gym against GLIAC newcomer Tiffin. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m.