HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Katie Wysocky tallied 20 points and 17 rebounds to lift Michigan Tech to a 70-51 NCAA Midwest Regional quarterfinal win over Northwood tonight at Northern Kentucky University's Bank of Kentucky Center. It was the Huskies' (25-6) first NCAA Tournament win since 2000 and first for head coach John Barnes in four trips to the regional.

"It's really nice to get a win," said Barnes, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. "I'm proud of the team and the way we defended Northwood tonight. I thought that was the difference."

The teams battled to a 19-all tie 13 minutes into the game before Lucy Dernovsek' bankshot jumper from the free throw line beat the shot clock. That started a 9-1 run that included Wysocky's first five points of the game for a 28-20 lead at the 4:16 mark.

A Katie Zimmerman 3-pointer and six more points for Wysocky hoisted the Huskies to a 39-28 advantage at halftime.

Defense was the key for Tech in the second half. A Karlie LeRoy jumper at the 13:25 mark made it a 51-43 score, but the Timberwolves wouldn't make another basket for more than nine minutes. The Black and Gold built up as many as a 19-point lead during that stretch and cruised to the victory from there.

Wysocky's double-double was her 17th of the season and pushed her season rebound total to 317 — a school record. Sarah Stream tallied 13 points and four assists and was the catalyst for the Huskies' offense with nine points in the opening five minutes.

Zimmerman posted 12 points on 4-of-6 3-point shooting. Lisa Staehlin added nine points and four rebounds in a strong performance off the bench.

Tech shot 42 percent from the field while holding Northwood to 31. The Huskies swished 19-of-21 (91 percent) free throws.

Michigan Tech advances to the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. The Huskies will take on No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Northern Kentucky for a chance to go to the Sweet 16.