Michigan Tech guard Kendall Standfest drives around a Wayne State defender during a game Thursday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — With a loss against Wayne State and win over Purdue Northwest, the Michigan Tech Huskies women’s basketball team did some really good things at times, but still needs to work to get a bit more consistent in their play.

With the split, the Huskies are 12-6 overall and 6-4 in GLIAC play.

Looking at the loss Thursday to the Warriors, the Huskies lost senior forward Janie Tormanen in the first quarter, but battled without her services, especially in the final five minutes of the game.

“Obviously, tough loss Thursday, competing against a really good Wayne team,” said Huskies coach Sam Clayton. “Janie going down didn’t help, but I was actually really proud of our team. I think responding to a senior captain going out like that, she brings a ton of leadership, not to mention her scoring, her rebounding, her defense, all of that. So, I was really proud of Maja (Kozlowska) stepping in there, Kloe (Zentowski) stepping in there, and everyone just kind of picking up that energy, and that compete.

“They made some runs that kind of were a little bit too much for us to bounce back from. I was glad to see, late in the game though, continuing to fight and make it a game. Ella (Mason) hitting some big shots there late, so that was tough.”

Saturday, Zentkowski was given a chance to start, and she racked eight assists in 21 minutes of play. She also put up four points and had five rebounds. Kozlowska played 16 points, had six rebounds and two points.

“I think Kloe was phenomenal Saturday,” Clayton said, “eight assists, no turnovers. She’s different than Janie, but I love that she can get a rebound. She can bring it up. She had one pass, in transition, a left-handed pass. I can’t get over it. It was such a great pass to Soraya (Timms), and she has that ability. She’s an awesome passer.

“She can handle the ball. She can post up a little bit. Great screener, just understands the game. So, excited to see what she can do with the minutes she’s going to get.”

Clayton went on to praise the efforts of Kozlowska as well.

“Same with Maja, just kind of stepping into a bigger role,” said Clayton. “I think Maja can really affect the game defensively, as well with her length and physicality. So, awesome opportunity for some different players to step up.”

While it was in a losing effort, sophomore guard Kendall Standfest had a huge night Thursday as well. She put up a season-high 20 points and brought down 11 rebounds for her first double-double since Dec. 4 at Roosevelt.

“I thought Kendall flipped a page, and turned a corner in her confidence,” Clayton said. “I think she just needed one game to kind of, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m capable of this.’ She was being aggressive. She was more decisive, making her moves, looking for her shot, and that’s what we need from her. She can score at the rim. She can shoot.

“I feel like she hasn’t been as confident shooting her three, but she is very capable. She puts in the time, and once she starts hitting some of those, and people have to come out and guard her, she’s just so athletic that she can get by. She can rise up over the top.”

While the offensive improvement was great, Clayton also liked that Standfest got things figured out defensively as well.

“She took a big step, I thought, defensively, too,” said Clayton. “There’s been games where she’s been giving up some things that we didn’t want to, but I thought she was pretty solid defensively, both games, which is super important as well.”

Mason, who finished with a team-high 22 points Thursday, followed that up with 21 points Saturday, thanks to 7-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.

“Ella is a player that can get 20 points in two minutes,” Clayton said. “With her being able to hit those shots, and she did late in the game. I think that carried over to Saturday, because she made seven threes on Saturday. Literally after the game, I looked at the stats and I was like, ‘She made seven?’ It’s like a quiet seven because she’s just a smooth shooter, and can get them off so quick.

“We talk about her as a shooter, but also other people are great screeners for her. That’s what gets her some open looks. I feel like Saturday with 23 assists on 26 made field goals, we were just moving the ball, we were screening for each other. That’s when we’re hardest to guard. We’re not like that 1-on-1 type of team that just gets by you, dribble, drive. No, we move the ball. We screen for each other. So, Ella’s getting some great shots, I think, because we’re screening for her too.”

Scouting the Panthers

The Davenport Panthers come into this weekend 5-13 overall and 3-7 in GLIAC play after a weekend that saw them defeat Roosevelt, and then fall to Wisconsin-Parkside.

The Panthers are led by sophomore guard Maddie Geers, who averages 11.8 points per game. Redshirt junior guard Nevaeh Williams has also been good, averaging 10.8 points per game. Senior Ellie Toney also averages in double figures at 10.5 points per game.

Scouting the Lakers

The No. 1 Grand Valley State Lakers are 18-0 overall and 10-0 in GLIAC play after sweeping Wisconsin-Parkside and Roosevelt last weekend.

The Lakers are led offensively by redshirt senior Paige VanStee, who averages 15.6 points per game. Sophomore forward MacKenzie Bisballe has also been very good, averaging 14.1 points per game.

Game times

The Huskies and Panthers will tip at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Grand Rapids. Saturday, the Huskies and Lakers are set to start at 1 p.m. at Allendale.