The Wayne State University men’s basketball team lost to 13th-ranked Michigan Tech, 77-73, on Saturday in Detroit. Wayne State, now at an even 11-11 overall and 8-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), struggled at the free throw line, missing 16 of their 37 attempts. Michigan Tech improved to 22-4 overall and 13-3 in the conference by making 14 three-pointers out of 33 attempts.
Wayne State played without junior guard Jordan Briggs due to injury. Briggs, who had not missed a game before this one, is the team’s leading scorer with an average of 17.5 points per game, ranking fifth in the GLIAC.
Michigan Tech opened the game strong, scoring six unanswered points and maintaining control through much of the first half. The Huskies led by seven at halftime with a score of 31-24. Neither team shot well in the first half; Michigan Tech made just under 38 percent of its shots while Wayne State converted about 30 percent. The Huskies made seven three-pointers compared to just one for Wayne State.
In the second half, Michigan Tech extended its lead to as many as 13 points before Wayne State responded with a run that narrowed the gap to five points. Carlos Paul III scored key baskets during this stretch for Wayne State.
Wayne State tied the score three times late in the second half but never took the lead. In the closing minutes, Michigan Tech was more effective from both the field and free throw line.
Carlos Paul III led four Warriors players in double figures with 19 points and also contributed three free throws on five attempts. JaKobie Boose and Devin Belle each added 13 points while Marshall Thorn scored a season-high 12 points and grabbed a game-high eleven rebounds for his first double-double at Wayne State.
For Michigan Tech, Marcus Tomashek scored a game-high 23 points along with four rebounds and four assists. Nate Abel contributed sixteen points and Jesse Napgezek added ten.
Wayne State will travel next to face Roosevelt on Thursday night in Chicago.
The Warriors program competes as part of NCAA Division II within the GLIAC official website. The team represents Wayne State University athletics official website and serves as a major athletic initiative for Detroit’s urban community official website. The program has produced players recognized among its all-time top thirty athletes official website, maintains historical records official website, and has seen athletes earn honors such as GLIAC Player of the Year official website.
