Michigan Tech forward Janie Tormanen attempts a hook shot during a game against Wayne State Saturday at the SDC Gym in Houghton. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Coming into Thursday’s matchup with the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals, the Michigan Tech Huskies women’s basketball team needed more action near the basket, in what is known as post play. They got it.

Saturday, they got a lot more of it as they held off the Wayne State Warriors, 76-67, at the SDC Gym. The Huskies outscored the Warriors in the paint 38-26, which is something that coach Sam Clayton emphasized in practice.

Three players who benefited from the extra touches in close were freshman guard Kendall Standfest, who led the Huskies with 16 points, fifth-year forward Janie Tormanen, who had 14, and junior forward Maja Kozlowsak, who had 12.

“We’ve been drilling post entry in practice,” Tormanen said. “I think it was just a big change in my teammates seeing me when I’m calling for the ball, if I have a guard on me, sealing hard is always important, and kind of picking my moments on when there’s a mismatch, when I think I have an advantage over my defender, and just calling for the ball and making sure my teammates see me open. Then, being patient on offense and making a move, instead of just being stressed and throwing something up. I think that’s what really worked for us inside today.”

Clayton stressed how valuable it was for Tormanen and Kozlowska to control the situation near the basket, which led to increased scoring chances for the Huskies.

“Super important,” she said. “I think we’re just getting momentum at the right time heading into the rest of the season here. I think we’re definitely playing our best basketball. Our posts are doing a phenomenal job just creating offense for us by getting inside out looks, sealing hard.”

Beyond Standfest, the Huskies also got a lot of offense out of senior guard Isabella Lenz, who had 13 points, and sophomore guard Alyssa Wypych, who had 11.

“Our guards are taking care of it,” Clayton said. “I mean, today, our guards rebounded so well. We almost had a couple guards with double-doubles, so, yeah, great to see.”

Both Standfest and Wypych came down with nine rebounds each, as well.

Clayton was also happy wit the way that Standfest continued to show growth as she led the Huskies in scoring.

“I had to make a lot of adjustments we’ve probably seen in the past couple of games with our lineups, minutes, and getting Kendall more shots,” Clayton said. “Even when she takes tough shots, it’s a good shot, because she finishes so well. She elevates so well. So, it’s great to see her stepping into that role, totally confident with it, and does not back down to anyone. I love it. I think she could even get more calls at the rim. She’s going in there hard.

For the Huskies, the win also came on the strength of a 14-10 lead after one quarter, and a strong showing in the second quarter, where they outscored the Warriors, 25-15.

In the third quarter, the Warriors changed how they worked their press, and also had they attacked the basket on offense, and those two changes put the Huskies on their heels for the third quarter.

“I think the first half we defended so well; second half, they changed what they were running, and I think their press got to us,” Clayton said. “(We) turned it over a few times, let them get on a bit of a run, but it was good to see us respond and not let that turn into a 10-point run, into a 20-point run, into a 30-point run. It’s good to see us respond, get a big bucket, and take care of it a little better.”

The turnaround started in the final 1:18 of the third when Tormanen made a spin move and then found space to make a hook shot. She went to the free throw line shortly after and made one of the two chances there. Then, after Lenz closed the quarter with a pair of free throws, Tormanen opened the fourth with a hook shot and the following free throw for a three-point play.

From there, the Warriors never got closer than four points the rest of the contest.

“I think we definitely have the momentum right now,” said Clayton. “We’re definitely playing the best we have all season and that’s great to have, especially heading on the road.”

With the win, the Huskies improved to 7-9 overall and 4-4 in GLIAC play.

UP NEXT

The Huskies hit the road Thursday, as they head to Sault Ste. Marie to face the Lake Superior State Lakers.