HOUGHTON, Mich. – The No. 15 nationally-ranked Michigan Tech men's basketball team overcame a 3-25 performance from beyond the arc in a 72-70 victory over Davenport at the SDC Gymnasium on Wednesday evening to advance to the GLIAC Tournament Semifinal in Marquette on Saturday.
Michigan Tech, now 26-5 overall with a 16-4 GLIAC standing, was led by Dawson Nordgaard with 17 points and seven rebounds, joined in double-figure scoring by Jesse Napgezek (13) and Marcus Tomashek (12). Gabe Smith also pulled down seven rebounds as the team won the rebounding battle 36-31 with 12 offensive boards.
Davenport concludes its season 14-15 overall and 8-12 in the league.
"We knew we were going to be in for one when the shots weren't falling in the first half," said Tech men's basketball head coach Josh Buettner. "We took better care of the ball a little bit better in the second half, up until the last two minutes. To shoot 3-25 from three in your own gym and come out with a win, I'm really proud of our intensity on the defensive side of the ball and did a great job on the glass. We had a great 'next play' mentality when things weren't going right the whole game."
Nordgaard and Smith combined for the first seven points for the Black & Gold, holding a 7-4 advantage entering the first media break (14:48). The Huskies began to break free at the halfway point off a 7-0 run with two baskets by Nordgaard and a triple by Ty Fernholz (20-10) with 9:57 to play in the opening frame.
Davenport finished the half on a 7-2 run with a fastbreak layup by Curtis Jackson, making it a three-point affair as the Huskies took a 31-28 lead into the halftime break.
The Panthers led for almost six minutes in the second half, although it was never by more than three points as the final 20 minutes of action showcased eight lead changes and two ties.
It took midway through the half for the Huskies to gain separation as Fernholz made three free throws after drawing a foul on a 3-point shot, putting the home team ahead 49-45 at the 10:23 mark.
The Huskies went 20-of-23 from the charity stripe in the second half and two free throws by Tomashek made it a nine-point game with 3:10 to play (62-53) before the Panthers made a final push.
Aidan Moon made it a three-point game with 1:25 to play as the visitors went on a 6-0 run off of two turnovers by the Huskies. However, Dawson Nordgaard drew a foul on the next possession for two free throws before Josh Terrian knocked down a corner 3-pointer to give the Black & Gold a 67-59 boost.
Jackson knocked down two fastbreak 3-pointers in the final six seconds, but the Huskies prevailed by a score of 72-70.
Jackson led a trio of Panthers in double-figure scoring with 23 points and a team-best four steals. Ken Walker (16) and Marshaun Flakes (11) rounded out the double-digit scorers as Alden Ritt had a team-leading eight rebounds.
Up Next
The Huskies will travel to Marquette on Saturday to play No. 3 seed Grand Valley State in the GLIAC Tournament Semifinal in the Vandament Arena slated for a 4:30 p.m. tipoff.
