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HOUGHTON -- The Michigan Tech Huskies women’s basketball team (12-7 overall, 8-3 GLIAC) played just like they were supposed against their rival Northern Michigan University on Saturday in the eyes of their coach, Sam Hoyt. The 55-53 victory against the Wildcats came down to a one-point game with just second left on the clock.
The Huskies finished the job.
"It was a big win for us," said Hoyt. "I am really proud of how our team played against a very good NMU. Our girls were more physical and played tougher, which is exactly what I wanted in that game."
In particular, she was pleased with the leadership shown by junior Abbie Botz and senior Elizabeth Kelliher. These two dominated the post play as they scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
"Both Abbie and Elizabeth are our leaders on the court and off the court," said Hoyt. "This game meant so much them and they wanted to win. They answered the call and stepped up and got us baskets."
Hoyt hopes that the win will be a stepping stone and a shot of confidence for Thursday’s road contest against Purdue Northwest and Saturday’s matchup versus Wisconsin-Parkside.
"We needed that win as a start our second round of conference play," she said.
She added that Purdue Northwest (2-15 overall, 0-12 GLIAC) is not the same team they defeated 79-54 in early December.
"They have become a very capable team," she said. "I’ve been watching them play on film, and they are playing faster and have been picking up the pressure defensively. We are going to have to handle that pressure well and protect the basketball."
Purdue Northwest is led by Danielle Nenning who averages 12.2 points per game. She is followed by Shae Rhonehouse who has 8.2 points per game.
As a team, the Pride average 59.6 points per game. They shoot 34.6 percent from the field and 28.9 from the three-point range.
On Saturday, the Huskies head north to face Parkside (7-10 overall, 5-6 GLIAC), whom they lost to in the Wood Gym in early December, 62-40.
Hoyt said she hopes to take advantage of some size mismatches with the Rangers as their starting lineup is all under six feet. However, they put a lot of pressure on the Huskies the first time they played and Tech was only able to get 40 points in that game.
The Rangers average 65.7 points per game. They are led by Ali Bettencourt who has 13.3 points per game and Blair Arthur who has 12.9. They shoot 37.2 percent from the field and 28.1 percent past the three-point line.
Hoyt noted that one of the benefits of being able to play these teams a second time is not only has she and her team seen them once, but so has every other team in the GLIAC.
"Now that they have gone through every team in the conference, you get to see them go through a bunch of defenses and offenses of various teams and see what worked and what didn’t," Hoyt said.
GAME TIMES
Thursday’s game against Purdue Northwest is set to tip-off at 6 p.m. Saturday’s opening tip is set for 2 p.m. at Parkside.