HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech blocked a school-record 16 shots in a 72-56 win over Lewis in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament tonight. The Huskies held the Flyers to 36 percent shooting to win their 14th straight game in front of 1,613 fans at the SDC Gym. Tech, which is ranked No. 3 in the nation, is now 27-2 on the season.

Lisa Staehlin had a school-record seven blocks, while Lucy Dernovsek added five. The two seniors also led the Huskies in scoring with 22 and 16 points, respectively.

Dernovsek buried the first shot of the game-a 3-pointer from the right wing just 12 seconds in, and Tech led by as many as 15 in the opening half. Lewis (15-16) was able to climb back within 36-29 at the break.

The Flyers hung around and pulled within 44-38 at the 14-minute mark of the second half. Lynn Giesler hit a layup on a nice step-through move on the next possession, then another layup less than a minute later for a nine-point margin.

Kate Glodowski's 3-pointer at the 10:10 mark pushed the margin to 13, but Lewis wasn't dead yet. The visitors answered with back-to-back triples to pull within 53-46 at the 8:58 mark.

Sam Hoyt buried a 3-pointer on a second-chance opportunity to push the gap back to 10 at the eight-minute mark, where it stayed for the rest of the game.

Lewis put on a full-court press and got two quick layups on two turnovers, but Tech's defense prevailed from there. The Black and Gold held the Flyers scoreless for the final 2:46, and Hoyt made six straight free throws to ice the victory.

"We set the tone by getting the ball inside," said head coach Kim Cameron. "We got Lisa (Staehlin) 15 shots and Lynn (Giesler) six more, and we saw what those two can do when we get them the ball."

Staehlin went 10-of-15 from the floor for her game-high 22 points-one shy of her career high. The 6-2 center also had nine rebounds to go with her seven blocks. Giesler tallied 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting off the bench.

Dernovsek had another impressive showing on the box score with 16 points, a game-high 12 rebounds, six assists and five blocks.

"Those are frustrating for the other team," said Cameron of her team's blocked shots. "That's 16 possessions we took from them."

Tech cleaned up the glass with a 39-28 rebounding advantage. The Huskies also shot 52 percent from the floor.

Lewis was led by 17 points from senior Jenny Turpel.

Michigan Tech, which has now won 30 consecutive games at home, will host the winner of the Grand Valley State/Drury game in tomorrow's second semifinal at 7:30 p.m. UW-Parkside and Quincy won the first two quarterfinal games of the day and will meet in tomorrow's first semifinal at 5 p.m.

Notes: The previous team record for blocks in a game was 13 vs. Lake Superior State on Feb. 14, 2002 ... Staehlin's seven blocks surpassed the record of six held by Dernovsek (twice this season) and Carie Pejka (Nov. 21, 1989).