HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies hope to break a two-game losing skid this weekend as they welcome the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals.

Tech enters the Friday and Saturday games at 6-3 while SVSU comes in at 2-7.

Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.

“Every game is important,” said MTU head coach Kevin Luke. “Saginaw is athletic. They can shoot and rebound well. They have multiple defenses, and we have to be prepared.”

Luke said part of that preparation is making free throws. Tech is shooting just 64% from the line. He blames Saturday’s 56-54 loss against Ferris State to missed free throws.

“Besides actually shooting them, we need to have guys actually go to the free-throw line with a positive attitude,” he said.

Luke added that sinking shots from the field will be another key component to victory against SVSU.

“I like our ball movement and our shots,” he said. “We just need to take them from more high-percentage spots on the floor.”

They will face a SVSU team that is averaging 64 points per game. They are shooting 40% from the field and 24% from beyond the three-point arc. As well, they are sinking 69% of their free-throw shots. They are led by senior Delano Smith’s 16 points per game.

Tech is averaging 69 points per game and averaging 46 points from the field. They are shooting 39% from long range.

“This schedule is demanding,” said Luke. “It’s like a hockey schedule with back-to-back games. While the first one is tough, the second game is worse because of that first one. We are wondering what will be different on the floor in less than 24 hours.”