HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech took 10 more shots than Northern Michigan, but not enough of them fell in a 66-55 loss to the Wildcats this afternoon at the SDC Gym. The Huskies (2-9 overall, 1-5 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) made 33 percent from the field including just 8-of-27 from 3-point range as NMU (6-4, 3-3 GLIAC) earned the season split.

Tech's offense looked good against the Wildcat zone defense in the early going. Matt Gaedke started at point guard and had three assists in the first 90 seconds as the Huskies jumped out to a 7-2 lead. The Black and Gold led by as many as six in the frame but missed several layups that could have extended the margin. NMU center Jared Benson knocked down 3-pointer right before the first-half buzzer that gave the visitors a 31-29 edge (their first lead since 2-0) heading into the lockerroom.

The Wildcats pushed their lead to as many as 11 (46-35) with 12:17 to play before the Huskies responded with an 8-0 to close the gap to 46-43 at the 7:43 mark. NMU answered with eight straight points off the hand of Raymont McElroy to push the margin back to 12 and closed out the game from there.

"I thought we had good shots all night long. They just didn't go in," said head coach Kevin Luke. "Credit the NMU defense. They seem to have success against us with the zone. We just have to do a better job making shots."

Northern Michigan finished the game at 47 percent from the field and held a slight, 38-36 rebounding advantage. Tech committed just six turnovers in the game-a season low.

Don Fowler paced the Huskies in scoring with 14 points. Mike Hojnacki added 13. Gaedke dished out a career-high eight assists with no turnovers and added six points and five rebounds.

McElroy tallied 23 points for the Wildcats.

Michigan Tech will return to action next week with two GLIAC road games. The Huskies face Ashland Thursday (Jan. 7) and Tiffin Saturday (Jan. 9).