Michigan Tech’s Kelli Guy looks to drive against Wayne State Thursday at the Wood Gym. (David Archambeau/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With No. 1 Ashland as the overwhelming favorite in next week’s GLIAC tournament, that leaves the rest of the league members vying to strengthen their resumes for a coveted regional at-large NCAA bid that goes to the top eight teams in each region.  

So both No. 17 Michigan Tech (fourth in the latest region poll) and Wayne State (ninth), sported the sense of urgency that’s expected of two teams who are playing for their postseason lives. The result was a 40-minute defensive battle that played into Wayne State’s advantage and resulted in a 71-69 Warriors victory Thursday at the Wood Gym. 

Senior Kelli Guy led the Huskies (22-4, 16-3) with 30 points while eclipsing the 1,000-point milestone for her career. 

“I think we gave everything we had,” Tech coach Kim Cameron said. “The girls battled all the way to the end and competed and gave us a chance at the end. Unfortunately, we were just one play short.”

That one play came with Tech trailing 70-69 with 8 seconds left. A pass along the right sideline was out of the reach for Tech junior Elizabeth Kelliher and bounced out of bounds for the game-deciding turnover. 

it was a disheartening end considering what it took for Tech to even get in a position to win the game. The Huskies trailed 64-57 with just 1:05 left in the fourth before Guy drilled a deep 3 from the right wing to trim the deficit to four. 

After two free throws by Wayne State’s Sara Ruhstorfer, Kelliher converted a layup as she was fouled. She missed the free throw and secured the offensive board before scoring another layup for a quick four points to make it a two-point game. 

Tech junior Michelle LaFave sparked Tech’s fourth-quarter comeback by scoring all 11 of her points in the fourth and tied the game at 69 with a driving layup. 

But sophomore Natassja Chambers beat Tech down the court for a layup attempt as she as fouled. She would make one free throw for the game-winning point before Tech’s final turnover. 

“I thought we executed really well at the end, but unfortunately it was just too late,” Cameron said. 

Similar to Tech’s 50-40 loss on Jan. 18, Wayne State’s length and pressure once again threw Tech’s offense out of synch. The Warriors (19-6, 14-5) made post entrance passes to Kelliher difficult throughout the night and limited Tech to 11 of 33 shooting in the first half as Wayne State led 26-24. 

“I think their pressure bothers us a lot,” Cameron said. “We haven’t spent a lot of time since last time we played them on working against that and working to beat it. Unfortunately, I feel like it’s a little bit in our heads.

“They’re long and they really protect the paint, and that’s a huge part of how we run our offenses through our post players. They do a really good job of taking that away.”

Despite Tech’s offensive struggles, Guy led the way, making 10 of 13 shots, including 7 of 8 attempts from 3. With Tech missing senior Brenna Heise, who didn’t dress for the game, and senior Lindsey Winter (injury), it fell on Guy to carry the offensive load. 

“She’s just stepping up the way she’s capable of,” Cameron said. “She was playing for Brenna, and we needed her and her leadership.

“What an awesome day for her. She was playing just absolutely possessed and I’m really proud of her. I wish we could have gotten the win for her because I know how hard she tried to get it for her teammates.”

Guy became the 24th member of the 1,000 point club when she knocked down a 3 before the end of the third quarter to cut Wayne State’s lead to 43-40. She assisted in Tech’s fourth-quarter comeback when she made three free throws to trim the Warriors’ lead to 68-67 with 21 seconds remaining in the game. 

Tech finished 27 of 63 from the field (43 percent), including an improved 16 of 30 in the second half. 

“We started dribbling less and were passing more and got a lot more looks,” Cameron said. “I thought our offense was moving well, but then we’d get beat back or lose someone in transition.”

Wayne State shot 23 of 50 for the game (46 percent). Chambers led the way with 23 points. 

Next, Tech hosts Davenport Saturday at 3 p.m. The men’s game will start at 1 p.m.

– – – 

Wayne State 11 15 17 28 — 71

Tech 10 14 16 29 — 69

Wayne State — Birchmeier 15, Chambers 23, Williams 2, Ruhstorfer 8, Wilson 21, Williams 2. F: 10; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 22-28; 3-point field goals: Ruhstorfer 2, Wilson.

Tech — Stoll 16, Kelliher 8, Trotter 2, Guy 30, LewAllen 2, LaFave 11. F: 19; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 7-8; 3-point field goals: Guy 7, LaFave.