Michigan Tech guard Nate Abel attempts a jump shot over a Ferris State defender during a game Saturday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — After wins over rival No. 18 Northern Michigan and Ferris State last week, the Michigan Tech Huskies men’s basketball team is on a roll, having won three games in a row, all in GLIAC play.

“Anytime you can get two wins in the GLIAC, it’s a very successful weekend,” said Huskies coach Josh Buettner. “Obviously, having them both at home, (we’re) trying to get back to protecting our home court. Had the one slip up, but hopefully play with confidence and defend our gym from here on out.”

More importantly, senior guard Marcus Tomashek seems to be hitting his stride as the Huskies get into the second half of their season, and that bodes well for the Huskies moving forward.

“I thought our guys were really prepared for what Northern was trying to do, some of the stuff they were trying to run,” Buettner said. “I thought we were sharp on our execution.

“It always helps when Marcus gets going. His confidence boils over into the rest of our team. So, when he’s playing with that confidence and swagger, we’re going to be a better offensive team.”

The Huskies improved to 14-2 overall and 5-1 in GLIAC play with the wins.

In both games, the Huskies had to deal with the game slowing down in the second half as both teams were whistled for fouls seemingly on every possession.

“It’s really tough, and some of that’s just what teams are doing on us,” said Buettner. “They get frustrated regarding a lot of what they do. So, it turns into they’re just going to try to space us out and put their heads down and go. I get that it’s hard to officiate. We need to do a better job of making it obvious that we’re not fouling.

“Some of it is when we get going offensively. That’s been the recipe over the years is to grab and hold. Both those games we had leads at halftime, and to a certain extent that’s probably a little bit of the adjustments to try to get more physical.”

Buettner said his team is willing to adjust as necessary.

“As long as we’re winning, we’ll play whatever style we have to play,” he said. “It’s not always the prettiest to watch when it turns into that, but we’ve seen a little bit of that over the last couple years in the SDC Gym, that when things aren’t going well, that’s what teams are going to try to do.”

With the increase in physical play in GLIAC games, Buettner said that the Huskies’ bench players will become even more important than they already are. Redshirt sophomore guard Alex Calcaterra and junior guard Matt Schmainda were instrumental in Michigan Tech’s win over the Wildcats Thursday.

“It’s going to be huge,” he said. “You’re seeing how physical these games are. Guys are going to get bumped up, have bruises, tired, all those things. There’s definitely a battle of attrition just staying healthy through these last 14 conference games. So, the deeper you can go on that bench, and the less beating that the Marcuses and the Gabes (Gabe Smith) and the Dawsons (Dawson Nordgaard) have to take, the better. Being able to go eight to 10 deep, and even have 11 and 12 at your disposal if needed, is a huge advantage.”

Nordgaard, a redshirt senior forward, is not scoring quite as much as he did last season, but he is having a huge impact on the game for the Huskies whenever he is on the floor.

“Dawson’s been very, very consistent offensively,” Buettner said. “He’s a load down there. He’s playing with a ton of confidence and getting to his spots. We still have to keep him out of foul trouble, but it’s hard to really increase his usage, touches, and the amount of time we’ve been able to play him. But, if you can avoid a couple of those dumb ones, then hopefully we can continue to get the ball in there, too.”

Scouting the Cardinals

The Saginaw Valley State Cardinals are 9-5 overall this season and 3-3 in GLIAC play after a split two weeks ago that saw them defeat Wayne State, but fall to Purdue Northwest. They did defeat Grand Valley State earlier this season on the road.

The Cardinals are led offensively by redshirt sophomore guard Xavier Thomas, who averages 17.0 points per game. Junior guard Marquese Josephs has also been good, scoring 14.9 points per game and shooting 50% from beyond the arc.

Sophomore guard Dontez Scott II is the third Cardinal in double figures when it comes to scoring, as he averages 12.4 points per game.

Scouting the Lakers

The Lake Superior State Lakers are 8-7 on the season and 2-4 in GLIAC play after splitting last weekend, falling to Wisconsin-Parkside Thursday before beating Roosevelt Saturday. The Lakers are 5-1 at home.

Redshirt sophomore forward Omar Suleiman leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game. Sophomore guard Harrison Sorrelle has been very good, scoring 14.2 points per game.

Junior guard Nino Carter-Smith is averaging 10.3 points per game, giving the Lakers three players who average in double figures.

Game times

The Huskies and Cardinals will face off Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in University Center. Saturday, the Huskies and Lakers will tip off at 3 p.m. in Sault Ste. Marie.