Michigan Tech guard Alyssa Wypych attempts a layup during a game against Davenport Saturday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Like the men’s basketball team, the Michigan Tech women’s basketball team had their first weekend of 2026 end up in a split, with the Huskies falling to No. 1 Grand Valley State Friday, and then defeating Davenport Saturday.

Huskies coach Sam Clayton said there was one major issue with both games.

“I think we need to have better starts,” she said. “That’s my thought. Overall, I feel like both the first half and the second half against Grand Valley, we came out a little flat. We turned the ball over, we gave up some rhythm shots.

“Then against Davenport as well, just slow starts. So, I think we’re going to have to come out with a different mindset with a different mindset, more defensive urgency coming up this weekend, because it doesn’t get easier.”

Clayton is not wrong, as the Huskies host No. 12 Northern Michigan Thursday, and then Ferris State Saturday.

When asked if she felt that the slot starts could be attributed to the fact that the Huskies had a lengthy layoff due to the holiday break, she disagreed.

“I don’t want to make excuses,” she said. “Obviously, Grand Valley and Davenport were coming off Christmas break too, and they came out ready to go. So, no excuses there.

“Maybe it’s more of getting locked in during warm ups, whatever it may be. So, not an excuse. We need to be ready to go. We will need to put together a full 40 for both games against Northern and Ferris this weekend if we want to have the outcomes we’re hoping for.”

While, as a team, the Huskies were not as locked in as Clayton wanted, one player who came ready to go was junior guard Alyssa Wypych, who had, arguably, her best offensive weekend of her career. She had 13 in the loss to the Lakers on Friday, and then set a new career high with 24 Saturday in the win over the Panthers.

“I thought Alyssa was phenomenal,” Clayton said. “She did come in with the right mindset. We haven’t seen her be that aggressive offensively maybe in her two and a half years here, which was awesome to see, because she is a capable scorer. I thought she had no fear.

“Against Grand Valley, she attacked them hard, got to the rim, and scored when we needed baskets. Against Davenport, she came up with huge, huge shots, or free throws late. We were looking to post her a little bit. (I) thought she had an advantage there, and she was able to just get great deep positioning. She’s a really strong guard that can do that. Also, (she) hit some big 3s for us. So, great to see her looking to score. She always does the little things.”

Wypych does a lot of little things that Clayton relies on.

“She’s been leading us all year, for a couple years now, because she has all those intangible qualities as a leader, but, typically, she doesn’t show up maybe on the stat line,” said Clayton. “She’s always guarding the other team’s best player. She defends well, and she keeps the team together. You may not see the tips that she gets, whether it be defensively, or even on rebounds.

“But, it was good to see her just look to score a little bit more offensively.”

Sophomore guard Ella Mason continues to appear to have no qualms about attempting as much offense as she can.

“I like that Ella always has a scoring mentality,” Clayton said. “I don’t care if she’s missed three in a row, she’s going to catch and shoot the next one aggressively. With a player like that who can score it like she does, it spaces the floor. You have to respect her shot. You have to respect her jumper. She can also get to the rim.

“So, I think she helps us tremendously. Offensively, she can be a screener and create for other people, just with the way she can shoot the ball, it almost makes people adjust how they have to guard, and (she) can create for herself and for others because of that.”

Scouting the Wildcats

The Wildcats come into this weekend 12-2 overall and 3-1 in GLIAC play after beating Davenport Friday and falling to Grand Valley Saturday.

Senior guard Jacy Weisbrod is the only Wildcats player who averages in double figures at 17.4 points per game.

Senior guard Sarah Newcomer is right on the cusp of double figures, averaging 9.6 points per game while shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc. Senior forward Alyssa Hill has also been very good at 8.6 points per game, and she is always a threat for a double-double as she leads the Wildcats in rebounding at 7.3 per game.

Scouting the Bulldogs

The Bulldogs come into this weekend 10-3 overall and 3-1 in GLIAC play after sweeping Roosevelt and Wisconsin-Parkside last weekend.

Senior guard Kadyn Blanchard leads the Bulldogs in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game. Junior guard Mia Riley has also been good, averaging 14.6 points per game.

The Bulldogs have impressive depth in their lineup, as junior forward Mya Hiram averages 13.0 points per game, while senior guard Kenzie Bowers averages 10.7.

Game times

The Huskies and Wildcats meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the SDC Gym in Houghton. Saturday, the Huskies and Bulldogs tip at 12 p.m.