Michigan Tech guard Marcus Tomashek dunks during a game against Ferris State Saturday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The No. 12 Michigan Tech Huskies men’s basketball team earned its second GLIAC sweep of the season, thanks in big part to 25 points by senior guard Marcus Tomashek, who surpassed 2,000 career points in an 81-72 victory over the Ferris State Bulldogs at the SDC Gym Saturday.

The Green Bay, Wisconsin, standout went 14-of-15 from the free throw line while shooting 5-of-12 from the field to propel the Huskies to a 14-2 overall standing and a 5-1 record in conference play. Ferris State fell to 6-6 overall and 3-2 in the GLIAC.

“We were up 13 or 14 early in the first half, and I think that we had a little bit of slip up, but we kind of maintained our lead the whole game,” Tomashek said. “I think we controlled the ball, controlled the pace very well, and the lead helped us throughout the whole game.”

For Tomashek, getting six points he needed early in the game helped.

“It was pretty good,” he said. “It hasn’t been much of a conversation. It was just something that was going to happen in the game, so I haven’t really been thinking about it much, because, obviously, there’s a lot more to basketball than just scoring points. It was a good feeling to get it done.”

Michigan Tech coach Josh Buettner was quick to recognize the efforts of his star guard after the game.

“First off, I want to recognize Marcus. I know he has gotten a lot of accolades over the years, but 2,000 points is an impressive accomplishment and I’m really happy for him,” said Buettner. “Give credit to Ferris. They could’ve gone away a couple times, but they kept fighting back. They made timely plays and there’s things we need to get better at executing against an aggressive game plan, guarding the basketball and rebounding. There are no easy wins in the league and I’m happy to come out with a win.”

The Huskies scored eight-straight points to start the game before the Bulldogs found an answer from beyond the arc, knocking down three 3-pointers by the 12:55 mark to cut into the Huskies’ lead and make it 13-9.

The Huskies’ big men were a focal point early in the game as redshirt senior forward Dawson Nordgaard and sophomore guard Grant Warren combined for 13 points, respectively. Following a dunk by Warren, senior guard Josh Terrian connected from long range to make it a 30-15 game, the largest lead of the day for the Huskies, with 6:30 to play in the opening half.

The Bulldogs finished the half strong, scoring 16 points while allowing just eight, as the Huskies held a 38-31 advantage heading into halftime.

Buettner likes what he sees from Nordgaard.

“Dawson’s playing, honestly, really inspired,” said Buettner. “The numbers aren’t showing it, because his minutes are low with the fouls. I feel like he’s taken the brunt of some of the way these games are getting called right now, but I really like the presence he’s given us in there. He’s confident. He’s aggressive.

“We’re trying to get it in there to him. Good things happen when he’s getting it on the block.”

The visitors seemed to retain the momentum out of the break, as they orchestrated a 7-0 run to start the second half, forcing a Michigan Tech timeout less than 90 seconds into the period. From there, the Huskies went on a run of their own, pouring on 12-straight points with five points from Tomashek, including a rare dunk by the All-American, while sophomore guard Gabe Smith converted an and-one and a dunk as senior guard Nate Abel chipped in with a jumper to make it 50-38 with 16:12 to go.

Michigan Tech got ahead by as many as 16 in the second half following free-throws by Warren (60-44) at the 12:36 mark. However, the Bulldogs hung around and cut the Huskies’ double-digit lead to nine points off a 3-pointer by big man Justin Asi, who knocked down a game-high five treys.

With under a minute to play, the visitors cut the deficit to six points with a layup by Bryce Moore, although time was running out for the Bulldogs, who were forced to foul the remainder of the game, as the two teams totaled over 50 fouls for the game-ultimately seeing the Huskies prevail 81-72.

Nordgaard joined Tomashek in double-figure scoring with 11 points as Abel led the way with eight rebounds

Asi led his team with 21 points as Mykel Bingham and Tae Boyd recorded a team-high six boards.

Up next

The Huskies return to the road after four-straight games at home, traveling to Saginaw Valley State on Thursday and Lake Superior State on Saturday.