Huskies Hold Off Tritons in a Thrilling St. Louis Showdown
ST. LOUIS – The Michigan Tech women's basketball team showcased their resilience and determination in a hard-fought victory over the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies, led by a stellar performance from Ella Mason, secured their third consecutive win and disrupted the Tritons' seven-game winning streak, ultimately prevailing 68-62 at the Mark Twain Building.
This triumph elevated the Huskies' record to 7-2 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC, while the Tritons' record slipped to 7-2 overall and 4-0 in the GLVC. Michigan Tech head coach Sam Clayton expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their ability to force turnovers and capitalize on them.
The game began with an intense back-and-forth battle, as both teams traded leads seven times. The Huskies demonstrated their offensive prowess, going on a 9-0 run in the final minutes of the first quarter, outscoring the home team for the last 2:07. Ella Mason's clutch free throws and Janie Tormanen's 12 points, along with four rebounds, proved instrumental in this quarter's outcome.
However, the Tritons responded strongly in the second quarter, reclaiming the lead at 5:10. They orchestrated a 9-2 run, extending their lead to three minutes, and trailed 33-29 after a 3-pointer by Jaeda Wilson. Morgan Ramthun and Kendall Standfest's contributions, along with Mara Rieder and Lexi Hanna's 10 points each, showcased the Tritons' offensive prowess. The Tritons also dominated the rebounding battle, winning 19-11.
Despite trailing at halftime, the Huskies maintained their composure and went without a single turnover in the first quarter, while forcing eight turnovers from the Tritons. This strategic approach paid off, as they tied the game at 40-all with 4:15 to play in the third quarter, thanks to a layup by Alyssa Wypych.
Kaitlyn Maxwell's timely 3-pointer and five points in the third quarter shifted the momentum in favor of the Huskies, making it a 46-44 advantage. Mason's free throws and the team's efficient scoring spurt further solidified their lead, outscoring the Tritons 17-10 in the quarter.
The fourth quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with the Tritons clawing back into the contest. Mara Rieder's shot tied the game at 53-all with under six minutes to play. However, the Huskies' resilience prevailed, as they hit crucial shots and held the Tritons at bay. Michigan Tech's timely scoring, including a triple by Maxwell with 28 seconds to play, secured a 10-point lead (67-57).
With the game in hand, the Huskies' defense stepped up, forcing Missouri-St. Louis to foul. Ella Mason's free throw sealed the deal, resulting in a final score of 68-62. Mara Rieder led the Tritons with a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Lexi Hanna contributed 15 points.
Looking ahead, the Huskies will close out the 2025 calendar year with a non-conference home game against Northwood on Saturday, scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff at the SDC Gymnasium.
