Huskie Men fall flat against Grand Valley State

Posted: 01.21.2012 at 10:56 PM

HOUGHTON -- (Courtesy of MTU Athletics) Grand Valley led from start to finish in a 64-50 win over the Michigan Tech men’s basketball team Saturday (Jan. 21).

“They clearly had more energy than us,” said head coach Kevin Luke after his squad made its first basket at the 10:49 mark down 14. “They out rebounded us, out shot us and out hustled us.”

Grand Valley’s led grew to a game-high 19 points with five minutes remaining in the contest, but the Huskies would mount a 17-9 run to close within nine after a 3-pointer by Phil Romback with 1:22 remaining. The Lakers made five of its final six free throws for the win.

Tech struggled shooting the basketball finishing at 35-percent (14-40). The Huskies shot 30-percent (7-23) from behind the arc.

Grand Valley dominated play in the paint with a 28-8 advantage in points from the paint and a 32-26 lead in rebounds. Tech received 25 points from its bench.

Sophomore Austin Armga finished with a team-high 11 points for the Huskies. Junior Ali Haidar tallied nine points and senior Mike Hojnacki had two.

James Thomas finished with 22 points for Grand Valley.

Tech (9-8, 7-3 GLIAC) will play at Northwood Thursday (Jan. 26).