Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Five different Huskies scored at least nine points led by Robby Springborn and Mike Hojnacki with 18 apiece in Michigan Tech’s 84-53 men’s basketball win over Tiffin today at the SDC Gym. The hosts improved to 8-5 overall and 5-3 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with the victory while the Dragons fell to 1-12 overall and 0-8 in the league.

“The biggest thing I was pleased with today was our defensive intensity,” said head coach Kevin Luke. “We kept at it even when our lead went up.

“It was also nice to get good balance again and finish off our home stand strong.”

Balance came in the form of nine difference players scoring at least four points and good play on both ends of the floor. Tech shot 54 percent, committed just six turnovers and outrebounded Tiffin 42-30.

Hojnacki was a blistering 7-of-8 from the floor including a 4-of-4 mark from long range. He finished with week off with eight made 3-pointers and a combined 35 points in the two wins.

Springborn scored his 18 points without a 3-pointer as he was 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from the foul stripe. Fedrick Bowe notched 12 points and eight rebounds. Don Fowler matched him for game-high honors in rebounds with eight.

Sean Geary and Brandon Ball both registered nine points and four assists.

Michigan Tech used an 8-0 run early to take a double-digit point lead, but the margin shrunk to four with 2:00 remaining in the half. Geary and Springborn each made buckets to lift the Huskies to a 34-26 halftime edge.

Tiffin stayed within eight points through the first five minutes of the second frame before Tech’s defense really stepped up. The Dragons didn’t score a point for nearly six minutes as the Black and Gold scored 14 unanswered to put the contest out of reach.

Michigan Tech’s 84 points were a season high. Combined with last Thursday’s (Jan. 8) win over Ashland, the Huskies outscored their two opponents at the SDC Gym this week 161-122.

Tech, which has claimed a share of the GLIAC North Division lead, will next play at Hillsdale next Thursday (Jan. 15). Tipoff vs. the Chargers is slated for 8 p.m.