HOUGHTON -- Courtesy: MTU
Freshman Kylie Moxley poured in a career-high 26 points, and Michigan Tech converted 25-of-28 free throws to earn a 59-45 GLIAC women's basketball victory over Lake Erie tonight at the SDC Gym. The Huskies battled through 20 turnovers and 37 percent shooting to move to 8-3 overall and 6-1 in league play.
Moxley was 10-of-11 from the floor. The rest of the team was a combined 6-of-32. The only other player with more than one field goal was Sam Hoyt, who made 2-for-6 and all seven of her free throws for 11 total points.
"Kylie gave us a lot of energy and spark tonight," said head coach Kim Cameron. "She was a big lift for us."
The teams slugged through the opening 20 minutes as each squad shot 26 percent from the floor and combined for 26 turnovers. LEC (2-7, 0-6 GLIAC) held a 13-11 lead midway through the frame and remained within 21-14 at the break.
Tech couldn't seem to put away the Storm in the second half, either. The visitors trailed by as many as 13 in the period but were only behind 45-39 with four minutes remaining. Moxley eventually took over, posting a free throw and two buckets to push the margin to 11 at the 2:36 mark. Those would be her final five points in shattering her previous career best of 15.
The hosts hit 6-of-8 free throws in the waning minutes, and Kelcey Traynoff buried a 3-pointer—just Tech's second on 15 attempts—with 12 seconds left to close out scoring.
"It was an ugly game, but we found a way to win," said Cameron. "We knew they were going to be aggressive and trap us, and we just didn't handle it that well. We did a much better job in the second half."
Lake Erie shot 35 percent from the field and committed 20 of their own turnovers. Tech held a 34-21 advantage in rebounds. It also utilized a 39-15 advantage in points from its bench.
Michigan Tech will welcome in undefeated and No. 1-ranked Ashland on Saturday (Jan. 5). Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m.
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