SAULT STE. MARIE — The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team withstood a 3-point barrage in the first half and clawed their way to a 79-74 road victory over Lake Superior State on Friday afternoon.

Owen White charged Tech’s offense with 29 points and Trent Bell notched a double-double with 15 points, nine rebounds.

Lake Superior State (2-3) drained 8 of 12 long-range attempts in the opening 20 minutes, then hurt the Huskies (4-1) with frequent layups after the break. It still wasn’t enough. Eric Carl was efficient from beyond the arc with 15 points and Dawson Bilski was an effective facilitator after drawing the attention of the defense from the start. Later, Carl hit a crucial 3-pointer against a full court press with five seconds remaining in the game off a pass from Bilski. The play iced the game for MTU.

“With how well Lake Superior State was shooting the ball today, I felt fortunate to come out on top,” commented head coach Kevin Luke. “We just kept working and trying and hoping that they would eventually cool off. It was up and down scoring by both teams and we were able to keep the game within a couple of possessions the whole way through.”

Taking a 40-37 lead into halftime, the Huskies put on a clinic by shooting 59% with 60% of 3-point tries. The Lakers matched MTU when they opened at 56% overall and converted 66% of 3-pointers. Michigan Tech made a 15-4 run over four minutes to reclaim the lead 65-60 with just under seven minutes to play in the game, then stretched it to a seven-point advantage before LSSU narrowed the score with inside baskets as they closed in on the final minute. Bell made a block with 43 seconds to play and Carl sank a 3-pointer with under five seconds on the shot clock.

Bilski nabbed eight points, four rebounds, and three assists.

The Huskies out-rebounded the Lakers 25-22 with seven on the offensive glass.

Both teams play again at 1 p.m. today. MTU has won its last three games and 11 of its last 12 stemming back to a playoff run cut short last season.