BOX SCORE

MARSHALL, Minn. – Michigan Tech closed a tight game putting together a 17-7 run in the final four minutes to earn a 75-67 non-conference victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Thursday night in Marshall. 

It was the season opener for MTU, which is picked to win the North Division of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference, while SMSU drops to 2-2 on the season.  The game was played at the PE Gym in Marshall.  It was the first college basketball game played in the gym since the final game of the 1996-97 season.  The R/A Facility, SMSU's regular home arena, hosted a concert on Thursday.

MTU All-American Ali Haider had a huge game for the Huskies with 32 points on 13 of 19 shooting with 14 rebounds, while Ben Stezler added 22 points with six 3-pointers.

SMSU was led by Jordan Miller's 15 points, connecting on a team-high four 3-pointers.  Nick Smith recorded his third straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Shaun Condon (11) and Vinard Birch (10) closed out SMSU's double-digit scoring.

MTU held a 58-53 lead with five minutes and 44 seconds left in the game, before SMSU answered with a 7-0 run capped by tip-in by Nick Smith to give SMSU a 60-58 lead with 4:26 left in the game.

Following a timeout, Stelzer hit a 3-pointer to give MTU the lead and following a turnover by SMSU, Stelzer drilled another 3-pointer to push the lead to 64-60 with 3:35 remaining.  MTU finished the run scoring 10 straight points to extend the lead to 68-60 and putting the game away.

SMSU started the game strong, using a 10-2 run capped by a field goal by Nick Smith to build a 20-11 lead with 10 minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the opening half.

MTU would slowly cut into the lead and took its first lead of the game at 33-32 on a basket from Haider.  Vinard Birch would give SMSU the lead back with a layup at the 1:12 mark, before Haider hit a pair of free throws in the final 54 seconds to give MTU a 35-34 halftime lead.

Miller led SMSU with nine first half points with three 3-pointers.  Haider led MTU with 12 points, while Stelzer added 11 first half points with three 3-pointers.

Michigan Tech finished the game shooting 49 percent (26 of 53) from the field, including 9 of 24 from 3-point range.  Southwest Minnesota State shot 42 percent (23 of 55) from the field, but was shot just 35 percent in the second half.

SMSU had just eight assists in the game and committed 13 turnovers.

Southwest Minnesota State continues non-conference play on Wednesday, Nov. 21, playing at NCAA Division I South Dakota State University with tip-off slated for 7 p.m.  SDSU was picked to win the Summit League.