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Tech left searching for answers after disappointing loss to Tiffin

Michigan Tech’s Tommy Lucca shoots a layup against Tiffin Saturday at the Wood Gym. (David Archambeau/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — More dejected than angry, Michigan Tech coach Kevin Luke was left baffled after watching his team put on another disappointing showing in an 86-68 GLIAC loss to the Tiffin Dragons Saturday at the Wood Gym.

“In the 24 years I’ve been here, I’ve never been in this situation,” he said. “We have to get through this together. We can run an offense, and we can run a defense, but I don’t think it’s those right now. I think it’s our minds and trusting each other and just trying to battle and compete.”

Two days after its lowest scoring output of the season in a 73-62 loss to Ashland, Tech (7-7, 4-3 GLIAC) scored its third-lowest total against Tiffin while shooting 46 percent (24-52) against the Dragons’ 2-3 zone. Whether it was due to overlooking Tiffin, who came in with an 0-6 GLIAC record, or still getting acclimated to the return of sophomore point guard Tommy Lucca, Tech turned it over four times in the first 4:39 and fell behind 11-3. 

“I feel bad for our team,” Luke said. “I feel bad for our program. I feel bad for the 30 years of guys that I’ve coached and look and can say, ‘What’s going on here?’ “

It’s a legitimate question, especially with the return of Lucca this weekend, who everyone presumed would elevate a Tech team that started the season 7-3 to true GLIAC contender status. The Huskies might still get to that point, but this two-game setback with the return of one of their leaders is not what anyone envisioned. 

Lucca did appear more comfortable in his second game back, scoring seven points and dishing out seven assists while playing 36 minutes. 

“Tommy’s still rusty,” Luke said. “He wants to be as good as he can be. He brings a whole dimension to us as far as his ability to get to the rim. 

“He’s the kind of kid who won’t let this go on too long. He’ll be there for us. We still have the pieces, but we have to get the pieces mentally fixed and then we can work forward from there.”

Tiffin junior Terrell Mabins converted a 3-point play for a 62-41 lead with 12:41 left in the game. The Dragons led by as many as 22 with 6:24 to play and never lacked confidence despite their winless league record entering Saturday. 

Tiffin (5-9, 1-6 GLIAC) shot 31 of 51 from the field (61 percent) and managed to hit every timely shot — contested or not — to never allow Tech to cut the deficit to single digits. 

If there were any redeeming qualities from Saturday’s defeat, it came from the play of Tech freshmen Trent Bell and Dawson Bilski. Bell finished with a career-high 15 points as he successfully gave Tech an inside threat along the baseline against Tiffin’s 2-3 zone. 

“I thought Trent brought a lot for us in the second half,” Luke said of Bell attacking from the baseline. “We just tried to take what they gave us.”

Bilski came to Tech after shooting 49 percent from 3 during his senior season at North Central. To this point, he has still been searching for that same efficiency at Tech, converting just 2 of 26 3s before Saturday. He matched his season 3-point total on Saturday by converting 2 of 6 3s while also being an active defender.

“He’s not the shooter Dawson that we all know right now,” Luke said, “but when he gets that second one to go after the first one in a row, the floodgates are going to open. He can do that, and he’s working hard.”

Tech junior Kyle Monroe led the Huskies with 20 points on 7 of 12 shot attempts. 

While they try to figure out what’s wrong with them, the Huskies’ upcoming schedule does them no favors. Tech hits the road to face the No. 10 Ferris State Bulldogs (15-1, 5-1 GLIAC) on Thursday before finishing the road trip at the No. 24 Lake Superior State Lakers (12-2, 6-0 GLIAC).

“We’re going to be OK,” Luke said. “I’ll still put this team up against any other team in the league, and on a given night, we can beat them.”

– – – 

Tiffin 42 44 — 86

Tech 27 41 — 68

Tiffin — Waldon 10, Schaub 10, Brown 20, Adams 19, Miller 16, Mabins 8, Taylor 3. F: 16; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 15-18; 3-point field goals: Miller 4, Schaub 2, Brown, Mabins, Taylor.

Tech — Monroe 20, Lucca 7, Heath 8, Gordon 6, Bilski 6, Bell 15, Schuller 6. F: 16; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 8-11; 3-point field goals: Monroe 5, Heath 2, Gordon 2, Bilski 2.

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