Michigan Tech guard Soraya Timms extends to attempt a layup during a game against Minnesota-Duluth Saturday, Nov. 20, at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With nearly a month between last weekend’s opening games of GLIAC play until the next two in January, the Michigan Tech Huskies women’s basketball team wanted to start off on the right foot with a pair of wins, if possible, over Roosevelt and Wisconsin-Parkside. They were also looking for a bounce back after a tough nonconference weekend in Minnesota.

The Huskies defeated Roosevelt 64-48 on Thursday and then followed that up with a 65-60 win over Wisconsin-Parkside.

“I think it’s huge for us to be able to respond after last weekend,” said Huskies coach Sam Clayton. “Obviously a couple tough losses. They’re good teams, but we did not defend like we’re capable. We gave up 78 points per game. You can’t win games like that. You can’t. Specifically this year, that’s what we’ve been focusing on, our defense.

“So, to have those two games, it was a disappointment, but really proud of the way we responded this weekend and bounced back in conference play.”

Clayton believes that both teams will difficult for the GLIAC to deal with throughout the season, so getting the two wins this past weekend could prove valuable down the road.

“I think it is huge, coming into conference play, to be able to win our first two games,” Clayton said. “Those are two good teams. I think they’ll do well in the league. They are gifted. They’re gifted offensively, and we were able to hold both of them down offensively. So, I was proud of our defense, and just to even gain that confidence for us in conference, starting 2-0.”

The Huskies are now 6-2 overall and 2-0 in GLIAC play after the weekend.

Sophomore guard Kendall Standfest, who is battling through a facial injury, came through with 11 points and 13 rebounds Thursday. She followed that effort up with 12 points and six rebounds Saturday. Her efforts earned her GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week.

“I thought Kendall, specifically, I think our whole team responded well, but Kendall specifically, (the previous) weekend was probably one of her rougher weekends,” said Clayton. “She just broke her nose. She’s wearing the mask for the first time. During the first time she played live in a game with a mask. She hadn’t even practiced with that thing on. So, I think that affected her more than she probably thought it would. It just messes with your vision a little bit and even your mindset, I’m sure.

“I think she has adjusted to that. Got a nice double-double as per usual for her. I think she set the tone in both games. At the start, she went to the glass really hard, got offensive rebounds. She was outworking people, and that set the tone for our whole team for the weekend.”

Another sophomore who continues to take steps this season is guard Ella Mason. She scored 13 against Roosevelt, and led the Huskies with 18 against Wisconsin-Parkside.

“Ella just keeps taking steps,” Clayton said. “We needed her to take a huge step defensively from last year to this year, and she’s continued to do that throughout the offseason. Now into games, continuing to get better, and then offensively super gifted. We can go to her if we need a basket. Not only that, people have to give her zero space, so we can put her in places and setting screens and doing things that open up other people as well, because she’s such a gifted scorer. So, she creates for others even when she’s not getting assists.”

Along with the two outstanding sophomores, senior guard Soraya Timms continues to take advantage of being healthy enough to play this season. She led the Huskies Thursday with 14 points, and then had another eight Saturday.

“I’m really proud of Soraya,” said Clayton. “To sit out for two years, and then come out and play 37-38 minutes a game, I think she’s averaging, and lead our team in scoring at times, and in assists, at times. As a good point guard, you need to look to score first, or you’re not going to be able to create for others. She’s done a good job of that.

“She doesn’t want to be a score-first point guard. So, I have to tell her, ‘Hey, you have to look to score, or you’re not going to be able to get other people open.’ She’s starting to do that. When she’s hitting her shot, when she’s going to the basket looking for shot-first, now she can drop it off to the post.”

Scouting the Tritons

The Missouri-St. Louis Tritons are 7-1 overall and 4-0 in GLVC play. Their lone loss came to Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday, Nov. 15. They have beaten Roosevelt, Purdue Northwest, and Lewis.

They are led offensively by junior forward Mara Rieder, who averages nearly a double-double with 19.9 points per game, and 9.7 rebounds per game as well.

Freshman guard Jayden Kuper has gotten off to a great start to her career, averaging 14.8 points per game. Senior guard Morgan Ramthun is also scoring in double digits, averaging 10.9 points per game.

“They’re a dang good team, and they’ve been beating teams by 20,” Clayton said. “They have young players that are really good. They have a couple freshmen, one of them is one of our player’s sister actually. Bella Hanna is playing (for us) her sister Lexi Hanna, (and wears) No. 4. She’s starting for them as a freshman, (and) can really shoot it.

“They have an unreal post player, a junior (Rieder) that finishes everything around the rim, everything. So, we have got to limit those post touches. That’s going to be so huge. Then they have some guards that can shoot it and get to the rim. So really, we’re going to have to lock down again defensively, focus on that side of the floor, and let that lead to our offense.”

Game time

The Huskies and Tritons will face off Saturday in St. Louis, Missouri, with the opening tip set for 2 p.m.