Michigan Tech guard Kaisa Salani defends during a game against Roosevelt Saturday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies women’s basketball team closed out the regular season with a 70-51 victory over Roosevelt. Three players reached double-figure scoring on Senior Day at the SDC Gym on Saturday.

Junior guard Alyssa Wypych notched a game-high 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting to lead Michigan Tech. The Huskies improved to 16-12 overall and 10-10 in the GLIAC.

Senior guard Soraya Timms chipped in 16 points, and cashed in on a game-high 4-of-8 3-pointers to go with three 3-pointers and three steals. Sophomore guard Kendall Standfest added a double-double of 11 points and team-highs in rebounds (10) and assists (four).

“It was an emotional day for our seniors, I thought everyone came ready to go and executed with great energy and a total flip from Thursday,” said Huskies coach Sam Clayton. “We were able to play some inside-out. We got some confidence back, settled in and just played. We responded when Roosevelt went on runs and it was great to see everyone play well and step up when we needed it.”

Roosevelt fell to 8-19 overall and 7-13 in the conference.

The Huskies’ shots were falling early and often, scoring the first points before heading into halftime ahead 45-29, backed by 62.1 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes. Michigan Tech splashed in seven first half 3-pointers as Wypych and Timms each went 2-of-3 from trey to lead the squad.

“I feel like, honestly, we were just kind of overthinking things a bit,” said Wypych. “I feel like you could see that. So Coach Ward (Helakoski) had a great speech yesterday. Shout out, Ward. It’s just kind of like everything that’s been happening, it doesn’t matter. What matters is, we get this next opportunity to go, play free, and be who we are. So, I feel like it was more so just letting go of that, and going back to who we are, because, obviously, box scores and all that, we are very capable of scoring offensively.”

The Huskies connected on 11-for-15 attempts in the first quarter, backed by a team-high seven points from Timms and Standfest, to put Michigan Tech ahead 26-13 by the end of the first quarter.

Roosevelt started the second quarter strong, with an 11-4 run, although the Huskies earned seven points from Wypych, and a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Kloe Zentkowski and Timms with 13 seconds left in the half to enjoy a 16-point lead at the halftime break.

Michigan Tech maintained pressure on the Lakers and led by as many as 23 points at the 7:51 mark in the third quarter from a triple by Timms off a pass by Standfest to make it 52-29.

Wypych converted an and-one following an offensive rebound with 2:18 remaining in the period before Isabella Pitta went 1-of-2 from the free throw line to see Michigan Tech up 60-47 with one quarter to go. Timms (six) and Wypych (five) propelled the team offensively in the stanza.

The Huskies won the final quarter 10-4 and got three offensive rebounds by junior forward Maja Kozlowska as Wypych shot 2-of-3 from the field and junior guard Dani Nuest splashed a 3-pointer. Sophomore guard Ella Mason hit a jumper with 2:56 to play to conclude the scoring for the game as Michigan Tech earned a series sweep over Roosevelt with a 70-51 final score.

Pitta (12) and Kelly Boyle (10) led the Lakers in scoring as Marie Outlay had a team-best six boards, four assists and four steals.

Special moment for Tormanen

Senior forward Janie Tormanen, who has been out with an injury since Jan. 22, took the opening tip before a timeout was called to get her off the floor. Clayton thanked Roosevelt coach Deon Thomas for participating in the moment for the senior.

“Emotional day, obviously, with Janie not being able to play, but so awesome of their coaching staff to allow us to get the tip and get her out like that,” Clayton said. “Really appreciate that.

“It’s bittersweet. I know she’s going to do great things, and she wants to stay in the area. She’ll probably run a company someday, for sure. She’s just so smart, so good with people. It’s awesome to think about. She’s going to make a huge impact in this community, but sad because I’ve loved coaching her for the past two years. To not be able to play on your senior night, it just breaks my heart.”

Up next

The Huskies shift to the postseason as the No. 5 seed, traveling to No. 4 Northern Michigan for a GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.