ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Michigan Tech men's basketball team played a tough game at No. 18-ranked Grand Valley State today, but 11 first-half turnovers proved too costly in a 77-63 loss at GVSU Fieldhouse. Ali Haidar scored a season-high 25 points and Don Fowler added 12 more as the Huskies fell to 10-7 overall and 5-5 in the GLIAC.

Things started well for Tech as it held a 9-4 lead five minutes into the game. GVSU answered with a 13-0 run and went on to a 37-24 halftime advantage by shooting 52 percent from the field.

The Huskies played a much better second half. Tech played toe-to-toe with the Lakers, climbing within 54-45 on Haidar's three-point play with nine minutes to go. GVSU built the margin back to 14, but the Black and Gold pulled within 10 twice down the stretch. The hosts were able to make 7-of-8 free throws in the final two minutes to ice their win.

Haidar's 25 points came on 9-of-15 field goal shooting and accounted for his highest scoring output since a 24-point output at Tiffin on Dec. 11. All five Tech starters scored at least eight points in the game. Mike Hojnacki tallied a game-high seven rebounds and four assists to go with his nine points.

Tech shot 47 percent from the field in the contest. GVSU finished at 55 percent after going 12-of-20 (60 percent) in the second half.

The Lakers used big advantages in points off turnovers (23-16), points in the paint (32-16) and bench points (28-0).

"Turnovers hurt us again," said head coach Kevin Luke. "I thought we played a good second half, and we need to build on that for next week."

Michigan Tech will try to bounce back with two home games next week. The Huskies will face Northwood Thursday (Jan. 27) and Hillsdale Saturday (Jan. 29) at the SDC Gym.