Michigan Tech guard Marcus Tomashek leaps and extends to attempt a layup during a game against Grand Valley State on Friday, Jan. 2, at the SDC Gym. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

MARQUETTE — For the third time this season, the No. 15-ranked Michigan Tech Huskies men’s basketball team fell to the No. 25 Grand Valley State Lakers, this time, by a score of 82-70 in the GLIAC Tournament semifinal game Saturday at Vandament Arena.

Michigan Tech (26-6, 16-4) was led by 13 points from senior guard Marcus Tomashek. Senior guard Nate Abel recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Redshirt senior forward Dawson Nordgaard (12) and freshman guard Jesse Napgezek (10) also reached double-figure scoring for the Huskies.

“I think we were still ready to play despite being down to start the game,” said Huskies coach Josh Buettner. “It felt like we had a couple of possessions in the second half where we didn’t make the extra pass to get the best shot available and then they got to double-digits and that rim looks a lot bigger for them.

“Grand Valley crashed harder, and got in the bonus quicker, because we struggled to keep them off the glass.”

Grand Valley State (24-6, 15-5 GLIAC) opened the game with a 12-0 run extending to the first media break (15:45). The duo of Nordgaard and Tomashek combined for nine points to cut the Lakers’ lead to one point with 8:39 to play in the half.

Napgezek cashed in on a triple to give the Huskies their first tie of the game at 24-all, three possessions later, before Michigan Tech earned its first convincing lead of the day off a 3-pointer from Abel (29-25).

Tomashek gave the Huskies a two-point lead heading into halftime with a driving layup, 41-39.

Abel (10) and Napgezek (8) led the Huskies through 20 minutes, with Abel shooting 3-of-4 from the field, netting two 3-pointers.

As a team, Michigan Tech won the battle on the glass, 20-12.

The Huskies struggled to find offense in the second half, after Nordgaard hit the opening and-one in the period, Michigan Tech didn’t make another field goal until the 7:53 mark, when Tomashek connected on a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound by sophomore guard Gabe Smith.

However, the Lakers maintained a 20-point edge, pulling ahead during the Huskies’ field goal drought, 69-49.

Grand Valley’s lead swelled to as many as 21 points three times down the stretch, although redshirt junior guard Drew Barrie (five) and junior guard Matt Schmainda (four) added points in the final minutes with the Lakers earning the 12-point decision to advance to the GLIAC Championship game.

The Lakers shot 48.1% in the second half and outrebounded the Huskies 27-17.

For the second consecutive game, Wilkerson led his squad with 20 points on an efficient 8-of-13, knocking down a game-high four 3-pointers on seven attempts. Antuane Allen (16) and Mason Docks (11) also reached double-figures as Jalen Charity and Ethan Alderink had six boards, with Charity also adding a team-best four assists.

Up next

The 2026 NCAA Selection Show will take place Sunday on NCAA.com at 11 p.m. In the latest regional rankings, the Huskies held the No. 1 spot in the Midwest.