HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech women's basketball team led 53-52 with 3:10 to play in regulation, but could not hold off No. 21 nationally-ranked Concordia-St. Paul down the stretch, falling 63-60 at the SDC Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. 

"I thought we competed hard and it shows that we're right there with some of the top teams. I really thought that their fourth-quarter pressure got to us—we had too many turnovers, if we're able to take care of the ball better and get some better shots we'll be able to learn from these games," Tech head coach Sam Clayton said. "We have to be able to put four quarters together, take care of the ball and execute late game. Hopefully, we can use this as motivation for the rest of the season."

Michigan Tech (2-5) led for nearly 37 minutes of action but Concordia-St. Paul (7-0) put together its highest-scoring quarter in the final 10 minutes, outscoring the Black & Gold 26-14 to remain undefeated.

The Huskies opened the game with an impressive first quarter that showcased seven early points from first-year guard Kendall Standfest before ultimately pulling ahead 18-6 at the conclusion of the first period. However, the Golden Bears answered by holding Michigan Tech to eight points in the second quarter, while pouring in 15 points to make it a 26-21 advantage for MTU.

The offense began to flow better in the third quarter as the Huskies pulled ahead by as much as 10 points (36-26) following an old-fashioned three-point play by veteran guard Isabella Lenz. Maja Kozlowska chipped in six points, helping Michigan Tech head into the final quarter with a nine-point edge. 

Concordia-St. Paul came out with urgency in the final frame, quickly making it a 4-point game with a layup by Lindsey Becher at the 7:05 mark. Emma Anderson gave MTU life with under five to play, cashing in from downtown to keep the Huskies ahead by five points (53-48).

With 2:33 to play, Lydia Haack gave CSP its first lead of the game off a 3-pointer before converting on an and-one on the next possession to put the Huskies down 58-53 with under two minutes to play. 

The sophomore duo of Dani Nuest and Alyssa Wypych kept the game close, with a triple from Nuest and a layup by Wypych making it 60-58 with 17 seconds remaining. However, the Huskies could not cause a turnover and were forced to foul down the stretch, seeing Concordia-St. Paul win 63-60 after Leah Dengerud connected on a foul shot with three seconds remaining.

Kozlowska had a career day, leading the Huskies with 14 points and eight rebounds. Lenz joined her in double-figure scoring with 11 points, adding two blocks and a steal. 

Haack led the Golden Bears with 19 points, while Becher (16) and Dengerud (14) also reached double-digit scoring. Becher also had a monstrous 15 boards, five on the offensive end.

Up Next

The Huskies have a short turnaround to conclude the non-conference slate, welcoming NSIC foe Winona State to the SDC Gymnasium on Sunday at 2 p.m.