Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech had four players in double figures and held off a late Finlandia run to turn in an 81-71 exhibition victory at the SDC Gym tonight. The visiting Lions trimmed an 18-point deficit with nine minutes to play to four twice in the final five minutes before the Huskies put the game away.

Don Fowler’s 3-pointer at the 4:45 mark pushed Tech’s lead to 68-61. His free throws with 2:33 to play made it a six-point advantage.

The junior tallied 15 points with the help of a perfect 8-for-8 night at the foul line. Sophomore Mike Hojnacki paced Tech with a team-high 23 points to go with a game-high eight rebounds.

“I thought we played hard tonight, but not necessarily smart,” said head coach Kevin Luke. “Finlandia deserves credit. They forced us up-tempo and we turned it over way too many times.”

The game was sloppy from the opening tip with a combined 48 fouls and 38 turnovers (24 by Michigan Tech). The Huskies posted a 40-27 advantage at half before building up the 18-point thanks to a Nate Kindt tip-dunk and back-to-back buckets from Hojnacki.

FU battled back with the help of Tyler Gordon, who posted 31 points and seven steals on the night. Fowler, who added six rebounds and three assists, tallied the timely points to keep Tech on top.

Kindt (11 points) and junior transfer Tyler Molesworth (10 points) each reached double figures in their unofficial Michigan Tech debut. Kindt added seven rebounds, while Molesworth recorded five boards and three assists.

Tech shot 51 percent from the floor including 43 percent from behind the 3-point arc. The hosts also posted a 48-23 rebounding advantage.

“There were a lot of good things to come out of tonight,” said Luke. “We got the ball inside, and I was pleased with our perimeter shooting.”

Michigan Tech will officially open its 2009-10 season Sunday (Nov. 15) at Minnesota Duluth. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m.