MIDLAND, Mich. - The No. 7-ranked Michigan Tech women's basketball team won its 10th straight game and closed out the regular season with a hard-fought 68-51 victory at Northwood today. The Huskies outscored the Timberwolves 44-28 in the second half to improve to 23-2 overall and 18-1 in league play.

The teams slugged it out on defense in the first half. They combined to score just five points over a seven minute span midway through the frame. Northwood (14-11, 10-9 GLIAC) led by a 23-17 score after a Monica McCallister layup at the 5:05 mark. Tech then closed the half on a 7-0 run for a 24-23 edge at the intermission.

The Huskies pushed their lead to a dozen in the first five minutes of the second half. Sam Hoyt scored her eighth point of the half on a 3-pointer for a 44-32 advantage.

The margin was expanded to as many as 16 by the 10-minute mark of the half. The Huskies held NU scoreless for a four-minute span down the stretch to maintain a comfortable lead.

"We didn't respond very well to their physical play in the first half," said head coach Kim Cameron. "We needed to toughen up in the second half, and we did. Sam (Hoyt) did a great job starting our offense."

Hoyt finished with 14 points including 12 after halftime. Lisa Staehlin was the Huskies' top scorer at 15 points. Lucy Dernovsek was the Superior Player of the Game with 13 points, a career-high 15 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Angela Guisfredi was the fourth Tech player in double figures with 10.

Lindsey Lindstrom tallied eight points, but was more critical on the defensive end where she held the GLIAC's leading scorer Pam Wilson (17.5 average) to just 11 on 2-of-10 shooting.

Tech finished the game with a 39-32 rebounding advantage and shot 46 percent from the field. The Black and Gold also helped themselves with a 13-of-13 free throw shooting performance. Northwood shot 32 percent from the field.

Michigan Tech will now host Tiffin in a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal game Wednesday (Mar. 2). Tipoff at the SDC Gym is slated for 7 p.m.