HOUGHTON, Mich. - For the second time in as many games, the Michigan Tech men's basketball team battled down to the wire but fell short. The visiting Saginaw Valley State Cardinals scored the last 11 points of the game to come away with a 70-61 GLIAC win at the SDC Gym.

The Huskies (10-5 overall, 5-3 GLIAC) held a 61-59 advantage with 2:20 to play. The Cardinals' (6-8, 2-6 GLIAC) run started with a Greg Foster layup. After a Mike Hojnacki miss, SVSU converted a three-point play for a 64-61 margin with 53 seconds remaining. Tech went ice cold shooting after that. The hosts misfired on four straight 3-point attempts while SVSU's Chris Webb made six straight free throws to account for the final score.

"We battled hard, but Saginaw Valley's a good club," said head coach Kevin Luke. "I felt like we settled for too many 3-pointers instead of pounding it inside. Hojnacki played a good game, and that's what we need from him to be a good team."

Both teams fired up 32 3-pointers in the game. SVSU made nine while the Huskies made eight. Overall shooting percentage was a large factor. The Cardinals made 46 percent compared to 36 for Tech.

Michigan Tech started very slowly on the offensive end, scoring just two points for the first seven minutes of the game. Brian Olley's three-point play started an 9-0 run that pulled the Black and Gold within 12-11. SVSU answered with five straight points and led by at least five the rest of the half. The margin was 10 in the final seconds of the frame, but Mike Hojnacki was fouled and made two free throws with 1.4 showing to make the halftime score 36-28.

The Huskies came out of the locker room with an offensive surge, scoring 18 points in the first six minutes to grab a 46-43 lead. Tech also switched to a zone defense to slow down the SVSU offense. The switch worked for the most part, but the Cardinals were able to make four 3-pointers to stay in the game.

Olley, who played his best game of the season to date, knocked down a 17-foot jumper and Jordan Reetz made a free throw to put Tech in a 61-59 lead. SVSU went on its 11-0 run from there.

Hojnacki turned in his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. His second half included 16 points and six rebounds.

Alex Culy was the only other Husky in double figures. He had 12 points to go with eight rebounds but had an off shooting day with a 4-of-14 performance from long range.

Tech held a 39-33 rebounding advantage thanks to 14 offensive boards which were turned into 20 second-chance points. SVSU made all 11 of its free throws, while the Black and Gold were 9-of-13.

Michigan Tech will be on the road for its next two games starting Thursday (Jan. 20) at Ferris State.

Notes: Sophomore Anthony Katona received his first career start … Olley's nine points were a season high.