HOUGHTON, Mich. - The Michigan Tech women's basketball team has taken a three-game lead in the GLIAC standings with four games to play thanks to a decisive 68-47 victory over Grand Valley State today at the SDC Gym. The Huskies (22-1, 17-1 GLIAC) thrilled 1,997 home fans with 52 percent 3-point shooting and suffocating defense. The Lakers (17-6, 14-4) managed to shoot just 35 percent for the game.

"We showed up with a lot of intensity today," said head coach John Barnes. "We got some early stops and built on that.

"I was very happy with our defense. All around, players stepped up in Danae Danen's absence."

Tech built up a 20-9 lead in the first 10 minutes thanks to 4-of-6 3-point shooting and strong defense. The Lakers made just four of their first 16 field goal attempts and finished the half at 30 percent. A 30-foot 3-pointer by Sarah Stream with under a minute remaining in the stanza matched Tech's largest lead of the half at 15. The Black and Gold held a 36-21 advantage at intermission.

GVSU scored the first four points of the second half and were still within 41-27 at the 17:21 mark on an Emma Veach layup. The Lakers didn't make another field goal until 8:05 was showing on the clock. The Huskies had opened up a 23-point margin by that point. The visitors never got within 20 the rest of the way.

Lindsey Lindstrom turned in a stellar game with 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists off the bench. The 6-0 sophomore forward was 3-of-4 from 3-point range, and all her points came in the first half to help the Huskies create their big lead.

Katie Wysocky notched her 18th double-double of the season with 13 points and 14 rebounds. She also had five assists. Tara Ferris tied for team-high honors with 13 points and was also 3-of-4 from behind the arc. Stream was the fourth Husky to reach double figures with 11 points.

Ferris and Stream were very successful on defense as well. They held two of the Lakers' top three scorers, Veach and Jasmine Padin, to nine and zero points, respectively.

Tech's defense completed its fourth straight game without allowing 50 points. GVSU's point total of 47 was 10 fewer than their previous low this season. The Huskies also turned in a 36-27 rebounding advantage.

With its 17-1 league record, Michigan Tech holds a sizeable lead over GVSU (14-4) and Northern Michigan (14-4). The Huskies will play the fourth- and fifth-best teams in the GLIAC on the road next week with games at Findlay (12-6) Thursday (Feb. 18) and Hillsdale (11-7) Saturday (Feb. 20).

Notes: Danen missed her second straight game after suffering an injury vs. Ashland last Saturday (Feb. 6) … Angela Guisfredi made a 3-pointer.