Huskies took their first Midwest Regional Championship title
Michigan Tech is heading to the Elite Eight after a hard-fought win over Walsh on March 17, down in North Canton, OH, at the Cecchini Center, pulling away in a game that stayed tight from start to finish. This game marked the first time in Tech history that they claimed the Midwest Regional Championship title, with one of the best records in its history: an impressive 29-6 overall and 16-4 conference.
The Huskies came out with energy, attacking the paint early and looking to establish control inside. Walsh answered right away, matching Tech shot for shot and slowing the pace to keep things under control. The first half was physical and competitive, with both teams trading baskets, turnovers, and defensive stops. Michigan Tech found some success in transition, but Walsh’s half-court offense kept the score close, and the teams went into halftime separated by only a few points, 44-35, with Tech in the lead. Coming out of the break, the Huskies started to find their rhythm. Ball movement improved, leading to better looks on offense, and the defense tightened up. A key stretch midway through the second half helped shift momentum. After a full sub in from Walsh and a series of missed shots, Tech pulled in a lead of 65-46, with the momentum carrying them throughout the rest of the game.
Even then, Walsh didn’t back down. They responded with a run of their own, hitting a few big shots to cut the lead down, with still only a few minutes left. The pressure was on, and every possession became critical. With under two minutes to go, the Huskies came up with a defensive stop, forcing a tough shot that missed and a foul. On the other end, they executed cleanly, extending the lead. From there, it came down to composure. Tech handled the final moments well, taking care of the ball and stepping up at the free-throw line. Each made free throw added enough cushion to keep Walsh from closing the gap during the final minute.
For the first time in school history, the men’s basketball team is moving on to the Elite Eight in the NCAA II division, and is facing off against No. 3-ranked Gannon University on Mar. 25 at 12 p.m. at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, PA.
