David Archambeau/For the Gazette Michigan Tech guard Adam Hobson drives between a pair of Wayne State defenders during a game Saturday, Jan. 18, at the SDC Gym in Houghton.

HOUGHTON — With a 13-5 record overall and an 8-2 record in the GLIAC, the Michigan Tech Huskies men’s basketball team is in control of its own destiny as it hits the second half of the season starting Thursday.

With a loss to Lake Superior State last Thursday and a win in overtime over Ferris State, the Huskies find themselves in a tie atop the conference standings as they reached the midpoint.

“Obviously, if you talked about going down there Wednesday night, we were on the bus, ‘If you’re taking a split going on the road against those two teams, you take it,'” said Huskies coach Josh Buettner. “(I am) really happy with the fight at Ferris, I mean, that was probably a really enjoyable game to watch. There was a lot of back and forth, a lot of big-time shot making by both teams.”

Buettner was not as happy with his team’s effort on Thursday.

“Lake State, I don’t think it was a no show, I just don’t think we were at our best,” he said. “I think they were closer to their best, and that’s a really good team, especially in that gym. I think the game could have gone a lot worse. I think we have room to improve as well.

“I don’t think we were as sharp as we needed to be defensively. We gave up some threes that we didn’t need to give up. That, I think, could have made it a little bit different of a game. But, all the credit to Lake State, I mean, they were really good that night. Obviously, they were really good on Saturday, too. They’re playing well right now.”

Despite the loss to the Lakers, the Huskies did a great job of mentally pushing that game out of their heads and focusing on the task at hand. With the win in Big Rapids, the Huskies have won in Duluth, Minnesota, Allendale and Big Rapids this season, all gyms that the Huskies typically struggle in.

“It’s just continuing to build on that confidence that you can go anywhere and win anywhere,” Buettner said. “It also really shows how important certain things are. The standard that we’re going to play competitively and defensively. If you have that every time, we’re always going to have a chance, especially with a player that could do some of the things offensively that Marcus (Tomashek) does.

“But, I thought on Saturday we came out really ready to play. In the first half, we withstood just a crazy effort by (Jaxon) Whitaker coming in and hitting six straight threes. For a freshman to do that, obviously, we have a freshman when he’s out there, (he) has kind of made that impact on some games, but, he really turned that game around. We were in pretty good control, and he put them back in front. You know what? We withstood that. Ferris comes out and goes up 10 in the second half, and we respond with a 14-0 run. Guys just keep competing, and keep fighting. Honestly, we’re a little bit deeper. So, even when we’re in some foul trouble, we’re not really dropping off the level we need defensively and competitively.”

In the win Saturday, Tomashek racked up a career-best 45 points to drive the Huskies.

“Obviously, Marcus deserves all the credit he’s getting, but we have a lot of guys that are really buying into roles that aren’t that glorious,” Buettner said. “I mean they thrive in those roles and aren’t worried about shooting, aren’t worried about whatever. I mean, you look, I don’t know what Ferris’ game plan entirely was, but I think to a certain extent it was Marcus is probably going to get his, let’s try to stop everybody else.”

The Bulldogs spent a ton of time double-teaming junior forward Dawson Nordgaard, who was able to take advantage of the situation by moving the ball teammates who did not draw coverage due to the nature of how Ferris State was focused on him.

“They doubled Dawson Nordgaard hard that entire game,” said Buettner. “And you know what? We went to Dawson to start overtime. He got a bucket, because it was probably the first time that it wasn’t a real hard double. The second time we went to him, the double came again. We got another layup. ‘Dodge’ gave Nate (Abel) an assist for a wide open layup, and you go up four and kind of set the tone to win the game in overtime without Marcus really being involved.

“That just shows that we do have other guys that can step up.”

Buettner is continuing to enjoy seeing the constant growth of Nordgaard.

“You know what, he’s there for overtime, makes a couple huge plays, and was solid the entire game defensively,” Buettner said. “There’s still a lot of room for him to grow against the double teams. I mean, Lake State was doubling him, and he sees it on film. It’s still hard when you’re getting doubled to always see him, because sometimes it’s a hard place to make some passes. But, he’s doing a good job getting it out. He’s not turning it over. As he continues to grow, we’re going to get higher and higher percentage looks out of his double teams.”

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS

The Davenport Panthers come into this weekend 5-13 overall and 1-9 in GLIAC play after getting swept last week by Purdue Northwest and Wisconsin-Parkside. However, the Panthers do have a conference win under their belt because they beat the Huskies back on Saturday, Jan. 4, in overtime, 73-71.

Senior guard Jovan Tucker leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game. Freshman guard Joey Cabana is off to a great start to his collegiate career, averaging 11.0 points per game.

The Panthers also have a second freshman averaging in double figures as forward Matyas Vrabel is scoring 10.2 per game.

SCOUTING THE LAKERS

The Grand Valley State Lakers come into this weekend’s action 10-8 overall and 6-4 in GLIAC play after a sweep of the Rangers and Pride.

The Huskies defeated the Lakers in Allendale, 59-58.

Sophomore guard Kaden Brown leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.5 points per game. Senior forward William Dunn (12.0), junior forward Ethan Alderink (10.8) and junior forward Jalen Charity (10.7) all average in double figures as well.

GAME TIMES

The Huskies and Panthers are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. Saturday, the Huskies will look to sweep the Lakers at 2 p.m.