HOUGHTON, Mich. – The No. 11 Michigan Tech men's basketball team outscored UW-Stout 47-13 in the second half to roll to a 79-41 victory at the SDC Gymnasium on Saturday evening.
Michigan Tech has won eight games in a row with an overall record of 10-1 and a 2-0 GLIAC standing.
Marcus Tomashek scored over 20 points for the first time since the opening weekend of the season, leading all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting, adding three rebounds and three assists. Gabe Smith also reached double-figure scoring with 14 points, nearing a double-double with a team-leading nine rebounds. Ty Fernholz led the Huskies with five assists, while Napgezek had a team-high three steals and five rebounds.
"I want to give a lot of credit to UW-Stout, that's a really good team that was in a tough situation today getting caught in the blizzard and getting in well after their estimated arrival–they had a good game plan and a couple of guys that are hard to guard," said Tech head coach Josh Buettner. "I thought our defense was there in the first half and I think they were a little more physical. We had some open looks that we missed and we let that affect the other things.
"I was proud of how we competed on defense and offense in the second half. Marcus got back into his flow a bit in the first half, which was something we were looking to get out of this game."
It was a slow start for both teams as they combined for 22 points at the halfway point of the first half. Tomashek netted 13-straight points for the Black & Gold to help put the Huskies ahead 19-16 at the 8:19 mark before knocking down his fourth 3-pointer of the half, followed by a layup by Jesse Napgezek to head into halftime leading the Blue Devils 32-28.
The Huskies gained separation immediately to start the second-half as the stifling defense of the Black & Gold held UW-Stout to just six points through the 7:40 mark of the period, while pouring on 37 points. Michigan Tech's largest lead of the day came with 1:07 to play, ahead 38 points (79-41).
As a team, the Huskies shot 54.8 percent from the field in the second stanza following a first half that saw six makes from beyond the arc, with seven in the second half. Michigan Tech also dominated the glass 46-37 as both teams grabbed 10 offensive boards.?
The Black & Gold also earned 34 points from the bench with eight points from Fernholz and six points apiece from Matt Schmainda and Layne Risdon, who each knocked down two 3-pointers.
Tyrel Creger led the Blue Devils with 14 points as Collin Vick had a team-high six rebounds.
Up Next
The Huskies will return to the Sunshine State for the second time this season, playing in the Florida Tech Winter Classic. The Black & Gold will face the host, Florida Tech, on Friday at 5:00 p.m. before facing Lynn on Saturday, slated for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.
