The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team experienced a heartbreaking 71-67 loss to Minnesota Duluth on Sunday afternoon at the Romano Gymnasium. In a game filled with intensity, the Huskies fought back after trailing at halftime but missed opportunities in the final moments handing the victory to the Bulldogs.
A Thrilling Finish: Bulldogs Edge Huskies
The game came down to the wire, with the score tied at 67 and only eight seconds remaining. Michigan Tech had a chance to seize the win when senior guard Isabella Lenz took a jump shot, but it missed its mark. Minnesota Duluth capitalized on the Huskies’ missed opportunity, sinking two free throws to secure the win as the final buzzer sounded. Despite a valiant effort by Michigan Tech, the Bulldogs’ clutch free throws in the closing seconds proved to be the difference.
Standout Performances from Both Teams
Three Huskies reached double figures in scoring, with first-year guard Kendall Standfest leading the way with a career-high 18 points. Graduate transfer Jane Tormanen added 12 points, while Lenz contributed 10 points in the loss. Sophomore guard Dani Nuest also played a crucial role, leading the team with four assists.
Tech head coach Sam Clayton shared his thoughts on the tough loss, saying, “Today was definitely a tough loss. I thought we took a step forward with both our offensive and defensive execution. Now it’s just limiting consecutive mistakes so teams can’t go on those big runs. We’ll look to bounce back next weekend at home.”
Kendall Standfest (image via Getty)Key Game Stats: Bulldogs Edge Huskies
In terms of shooting, Michigan Tech connected on nine 3-pointers, shooting 40.6% from the field. However, Minnesota Duluth was dominant in the rebounding category, collecting 16 offensive rebounds. The Bulldogs also capitalized on the free-throw line, making 14 of their 20 attempts, which proved to be the game-deciding factor.
The Huskies Rally in the Third Quarter
After trailing 37-32 at halftime, Michigan Tech came out strong in the third quarter, scoring 20 points and tying the game at 52-all. Lenz, who had been scoreless in the first half, came alive in the third, contributing seven points. Standfest also played a key role in the rally, adding five points during the quarter.
Standfest gave the Huskies their first lead of the final quarter with a layup, making it 59-57. However, the Bulldogs responded with a 6-0 run, taking a five-point lead. The Huskies fought back with crucial 3-pointers from freshman Kloe Zentkowski and Lenz to tie the game at 67-all. But Minnesota Duluth’s late free throws secured their victory.
Bulldogs’ Key Players
Minnesota Duluth had several standout performances, led by Claire Bjorge, who scored 17 points. Lexi Karlen added 13 points, while Vanessa Bickford recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. These key contributions helped the Bulldogs pull ahead in the final moments.
What’s Next for the Huskies
Michigan Tech will return home next weekend to the SDC Gymnasium for two non-conference matchups. On Saturday, they will face Concordia-St. Paul at 2 p.m., followed by a Sunday game against Winona State at 2 p.m. The Huskies will look to bounce back from this heartbreaking loss and build momentum for the rest of the season.
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