Michigan Tech guard Matt Schmainda drives around a Ferris State defender during a game Saturday, Jan. 10, at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — For the first time this season, the No. 6 Michigan Tech Huskies men’s basketball team faces real adversity after dropping both games last week to Davenport Thursday and No. 23 Grand Valley State Saturday.

With the losses, the Huskies fell to 18-4 overall and 9-3 in GLIAC play.

“It was frustrating,” said Huskies assistant coach Zach Flener. “It was the first time we lost two in a row in (what) feels like a long time, I think since the beginning of last year. So, from winning and losing perspective, it was frustrating. I think, effort-wise, in both games, (the) effort was good. Effort is usually always pretty good with this group.”

Flener felt that the Huskies struggled with ball control and defense against the Panthers Thursday.

“I think in the first game, our focus wasn’t great in terms of turnovers, in terms of defensive coverages, scout stuff, stuff like that, which from this group usually doesn’t happen on the road,” he said. “It can happen, but that was more of the problem in the first game.”

In the game against the Lakers, the Huskies were better defensively, but had more ball control issues in key moments.

“In the second game, honestly, from a defensive perspective, we played great,” he said. “We played a lot of zone. It worked really well. We held them to 55 points, a really, really good offensive team in their own gym, one of the best teams in the region and just didn’t make any shots. We had a, from a turnover perspective, stretch in the second half of turnovers that really cost us when we got back in the game. We tied it up in the second half and then I think had four turnovers on six possessions there against the Grand Valley defense that is extremely long, has a ton of ball pressure, causes a lot of turnovers for people.

“I think we really, for the most part of the game, controlled the ball like we wanted to. But that stretch of turnovers in the second half really hurt us. Overall (we) a few don’t make shots to the degree that we did in that game, and then you do have that stretch of turnovers.”

Michigan Tech is looking for a little Winter Carnival magic this weekend.

“This weekend should be the best weekend to have a lot of people at the game,” Flener said. “I’m really excited for our guys to get that experience, just because they’re a really fun group to watch, and I think we’ve done really well at home over the last two years. So, I’m excited to have a lot of people at the games. Guys are definitely excited to be home for Winter Carnival.”

One player who had a strong weekend last weekend was senior guard Nate Abel. Thursday, he had his best game, in terms of offense, all season. He played a season-high 39 minutes, and scored 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

“Nate’s a really awesome part of this whole thing, and box score-wise, from a points perspective, doesn’t always get credit but he does so much for us,” said Flener. “He is the best defender in our league at getting over screens, at staying in front of guards. We ask him to do a lot from a defensive perspective. A lot of other teams will switch and have lots of guys that they’re fine with switching onto guards. We do some switching, but the amount that we ask Nate to try to get over screens and stay in front of really tough guards is, he’s really high-level screen navigator and defender in 1-on-1 situations.”

At the same time, senior guard Marcus Tomashek had a quiet pair of games in terms of offense. He had 17 points against Davenport and followed that up with 15 against Grand Valley.

“I think it can look like guys are kind of waiting for him to get going, but I don’t necessarily feel that that’s the case offensively,” Flener said. “I think we’re always going to rely on him offensively, whether he’s going or not. Other guys didn’t play great offensively this weekend either, whether that was on scheme stuff, or just on performance issues or whatever. But, I don’t think it’s other guys waiting for him to do things. I think it’s our normal … we’re always going to trust in him. He’s our offensive guy, and I think other guys just didn’t play great. They know that.”

Scouting the Lakers

The Lakers are 11-10 overall and 5-7 in GLIAC play after a week that saw them defeat both Roosevelt and Wisconsin-Parkside at home. The Huskies beat them earlier this season, 84-83, on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Redshirt sophomore forward Omar Suleiman leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.7 points per game and he shoots 36.8% from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Harrison Sorrelle has also been good, averaging 13.6 points per game and shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc.

Junior guard Nino Carter-Smith is also averaging in double figures at 10.6 points per game.

Scouting the Cardinals

The Saginaw Valley State Cardinals are 11-9 overall and 5-7 in conference play after sweeping both Wisconsin-Parkside and Roosevelt. The Huskies won the earlier matchup, 80-78, on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Redshirt sophomore Xavier Thomas leads the Cardinals in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game. He is one of four who average in double figures.

Junior guard Marquese Josephs averages 13.8 points per game, sophomore guard Dontez Scott II averages 11.0 points per game, and freshman Javontae Ross is posting 10.0 points per game.

Game times

he Huskies and Lakers will battle Thursday, with the opening tip set for 7:30 p.m. at the SDC Gym. Saturday, the Huskies and Cardinals are set to start at 2 p.m.