HUSKIES BLISTER NETS IN GLIAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR 81-53 TRIUMPH OVER ASHLAND

- This release courtesy of the Michigan Technological University Sports Information Department.

Release: 03/08/2008

HOUGHTON, Mich. - Michigan Tech torched the SDC Gymnasium nets with 14-of-19 3-point shooting to defeat Ashland, 81-53, and claim its first GLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament title since 2001. The Huskies (23-7) cut down what was left of the nets following the win, which assured them a spot in next week's NCAA Great Lakes Regional.

Tech drained its first nine 3-pointers in the first GLIAC Tournament Championship game in Houghton since 1995. The score remained close through the first 18 minutes, though, as Ashland made six of its first seven triples.

AU pulled within 34-33 at the 2:38 mark before the Huskies finished off the half with six straight points. Katie Wysocky converted a three-point play on the ensuing possession. Tara Ferris then drained her third 3-pointer of the half. Neither team scored for the final 1:52 of the opening stanza to send Tech into the halftime locker room as 40-33 leaders.

The Eagles stayed within seven points of the lead four minutes into the second half before the hosts seized control with an 11-1 run. Ferris, Danae Danen and Lucy Dernovsek all nailed 3-pointers down the stretch to help Tech pull away for the 28-point victory.

Senior Catherine Rottier was named GLIAC Tournament most valuable player after tying the tournament record for assists in a game. The 5-8 point guard dished out 12 assists and added 11 points for a double-double.

Ferris, who had a game-high 20 points, and Dernovsek, who scored 18, both set career highs. Ferris was also named to the all-tournament team, as was Wysocky, who finished the game with 15 points and nine rebounds.

"Everybody stepped up to the occasion, especially Tara and Lucy," said head coach John Barnes. "This is a great team atmosphere. Nobody cares who's getting it done as long as we're winning.

"I'm so proud of the team and what they've accomplished so far this season."

Tech shot 59 percent from the field and 74 percent from long range. Ashland was 29 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the arc after missing their final 11 attempts from three.

Michigan Tech receives the GLIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Pairings for the national playoffs will be announced tomorrow at 10 p.m. during the selection show for the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament on the NCAA's website NCAA.com.

Notes: Tech's 74 percent mark from 3-point range set a new GLIAC Tournament record, and the 14 made triples tied a tournament mark (Oakland's 14 vs. Northern Michigan in 1993) ... Tech improved to 2-0 vs. Ashland in GLIAC Tournament games ... The Huskies have won four GLIAC Tournament titles (2008, 2001, 1999 and 1993).