David Archambeau/For the Gazette Michigan Tech guard Isabella Lenz attempts a layup during a game against Ferris State Thursday at the SDC Gym in Houghton.

HOUGHTON — Despite getting 22 points from senior guard Isabella Lenz, and having a three-point lead, 51-48, heading into the final 10 minutes, the Michigan Tech Huskies women’s basketball team could not overcome 22 points from the visiting Ferris State Bulldogs over that last stretch as the Huskies fell 70-67 at the SDC Gym Thursday.

The Huskies did a number of things well, from Lenz’s big night, to fifth-year forward Janie Tormanen’s 16 points, to freshman guard Kendall Standfest’s 12 in the first half and 13 in the game, along with 15 rebounds for a double-double.

Yet, one or two statistics stood above the rest for coach Sam Clayton.

“I’m proud of our effort, our fight, our compete,” she said. “I think we played well in general. We played well. Our offense flowed better, we defended hard, especially the first half. But, I do think in the second half, overall, too many turnovers. Ten turnovers in the second half. Gave up too many offensive rebounds in the second half, and we made some of the same defensive mistakes for multiple possessions, which we really have to learn from.

“So, it’s a heartbreaker, because I feel like it’s one we should have, could have, won, kind of let slip through our fingers at home. But, I commend our girls’ effort, and they did compete hard.”

After a tough round trip that saw the Huskies fall to both Wayne State and Saginaw Valley State last week, the Huskies (9-14 overall, 6-9 GLIAC) were in the gym this week working on their offensive execution, and that showed as they erased an early 10-point deficit, 15-5, in the first quarter, and even took a two-point lead, 33-31, into the break at half.

More impressively, they outscored the Bulldogs by eight in the second quarter, 17-9, despite shooting 31.6% from the floor over that 10-minute span. However, the Huskies could not overcome the 18 points the Bulldogs scored on the 15 turnovers Michigan Tech committed.

“It’s frustrating,” Clayton said. “It’s frustrating, because it’s at home. It is frustrating, because we did play well, in general. Again, it’s just little spurts of the silly turnovers of the back-to-back, like (the) same defensive mistakes, little things like that. So, it’s frustrating, but maybe it hurts, you know? They wanted it. You could tell they wanted it. They played with a lot of heart.”

Lenz, who led all scorers, was strong all game, going 8-of-13 from the floor, and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

“Bella was great,” said Clayton. “I mean, man, she leads us in every single way. She just played so hard, defended so hard, vocally, all of it, all of it. She did all of it as she always does, and that’s why I want it so bad for her.

“Hopefully that propels us Saturday, because I know her teammates do, too. All of our seniors, Emma (Anderson), Bella, and Maryellen (Trewhella), who isn’t playing. (We) want to finish the season strong for them.”

Clayton also admitted that once Tormanen started scoring, she drew a lot of attention in the paint.

“Janie finished at a really high percentage,” Clayton said. “Obviously, a few too many turnovers. They were doubling her in there. They didn’t want her to get shots up, which makes sense. She finishes really well. So, maybe a few too many turnovers off that, but she had a great game.”

Clayton also loved the game she got from Standfest.

“Kendall (had), just crazy rebounding, really, in the first half,” she said. “She’s what sparked us to be able to go into halftime with a little bit of a lead with her offensive rebounds, with her finishes. As a freshman, it’s great to see her really bring that fire and that spark for us.”

Despite holding a lead going into the fourth, the Huskies could not answer the pressure and the shooting the Bulldogs brought. Ferris State went 50% from the field, but 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, which helped lift them into the lead late.

“Felt like we coulda, woulda, shoulda,” said Clayton. “(We had) some key turnovers late. They hit big shots late, and we just couldn’t finish.”

UP NEXT

The Huskies are back in action at the SDC Gym on Saturday when they host the Lake Superior State Lakers. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m.