HOUGHTON, Mich. - The Michigan Tech women's basketball team made the key plays in the final minutes to gain a 58-54 victory over Northwood today at the SDC Gym. The No. 1-ranked Huskies shot only 36 percent from the field and were out-rebounded but found a way to stay undefeated at 5-0 (2-0 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play).

Tech never trailed the entire second half against the GLIAC South Division favorites, but it never led by more than six either. NU's Sara Pawlaczyk went 1-for-2 at the free throw line with 4:09 to play to knot the game at 54.

On the very next possession, Katie Zimmerman threaded the needle on a pass to Danae Danen who laid it in to break the deadlock. Neither team scored again until Zimmerman's free throws at :26. During that time, the teams had a combined 10 turnovers and missed shots.

The T'wolves missed three more field goal attempts after Zimmerman converted both shots of the 1-and-1.

"This was a really hard-fought game," said head coach John Barnes. "Northwood played a really smart game. We weren't very sharp mentally and our shots weren't falling.

"We made just enough defensive stops and free throws down the stretch to get the win."

Sarah Stream carried the offensive load for the Huskies with a season-high 19 points. Danen added nine points and three blocks. Katie Wysocky posted eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in her first game this season without a double-double.

Michigan Tech got off to a slow start in the opening half as Northwood led by as many as eight. The Timberwolves were shooting over 50 percent and the Huskies less than 30 percent at one point in the frame as the visitors built a 24-16 advantage. Danae Danen then scored seven consecutive points and Sam Hoyt and Maria Kasza each hit 3-pointers to even the game at 29 by the half.

Northwood finished with a 38.6 field goal percentage compared to Tech's 35.7. The Timberwolves also used a 41-35 rebounding edge. Turnovers were critical as Tech committed only 11 while forcing NU into 18.

The stat of the game may have been Tara Ferris drawing three offensive fouls-all in the opening half.

Michigan Tech will remain at home to play non-conference foe Finlandia on Tuesday (Dec. 8) at 5:30 p.m. Tech's next GLIAC action will come Saturday (Dec. 12) at arch rival Northern Michigan.