HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech women's basketball team cut a 20-point second-half deficit to five points with 4:33 to play, but ultimately fell 73-64 to No. 22 nationally ranked Ferris State, inside the SDC Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

Janie Tormanen recorded her third double-double of the season, leading the team with 21 points on an efficient 9-11 shooting while adding 11 rebounds, as Soraya Timms added 17 points, including a career-high five 3-pointers to go with three assists and three steals.

The Michigan Tech women's basketball team trailed by as many as 20 points

Michigan Tech (9-5, 3-3 GLIAC) won the rebounding battle 39-26 but succumbed to 21 turnovers to Ferris State (11-3, 4-1 GLIAC), who saw Kadyn Blanchard lead the Bulldogs with 33 points (11-19) and six rebounds.

"Obviously disappointed with a loss, but I was proud of the way we responded after being down by 20," said Michigan Tech head coach Sam Clayton. "We fought back and got it to within five points and it was great to see Soraya be aggressive offensively and Janie did a great job inside. If we can take care of the ball better, then we're in a great position."

Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the first quarter, which showcased seven ties and nine lead changes. Tormanen and the Bulldogs' Blanchard each recorded 10 points in the opening period as Timms chipped in two 3-pointers. The Bulldogs earned five-straight points by Blanchard in the stanza with a trey and then two free throws to take a 24-21 lead into the second quarter.

The Huskies were keeping pace with the Bulldogs in the second quarter before FSU went on a 14-0 run over the final 3:18 of the half to take a 15-point advantage into the break. The Bulldogs shot 52.9 percent in the quarter to outscore the Black & Gold 21-9.

Michigan Tech bounced back in the third quarter, shooting 60 percent from the field, while knocking down three 3-pointers with Timms knocking down two on back-to-back possessions before Tormanen converted on two buckets from down low as part of a 10-2 run, seeing the Huskies trail by seven and conclude the scoring in the quarter (58-51).

After retaking a double-digit lead early in the fourth quarter, the Huskies cut the lead down to five points, forcing Ferris State to talk it over ahead 63-58 with 6:37 to play. Alyssa Wypych had two layups sandwiched between a trey by Tormanen as part of the spurt.

The Huskies would make it a two-possession game again with 4:33 to go off a layup by Kendall Standfest, although the Bulldogs got separation for the final time, going 6-9 from the foul line from the 3:23 mark to the finish, stopping a potential Michigan Tech comeback with a final score of 73-64.

Ella Mason scored 13 points, adding six rebounds, as Wypych also reached double digits with 10 points, along with six rebounds.

Up Next

After four consecutive games at the SDC Gymnasium to start the year, the Huskies will take to the road next week, traveling to Saginaw Valley State on Thursday before heading to Lake Superior State on Saturday.