HOUGHTON, Mich. – Adam Hobson scored a career high 22 points to help Michigan Tech to a 77-76 win over Northern Michigan Monday night at SDC Gymnasium. The Wildcats connected a series of 3-pointers in the waning minutes of the second half but the Huskies made just enough free throws late to hold off their arch-rival.

"We lost our composure a little bit at the very end but our guys battled the entire game," said head coach Josh Buettner. "We cleaned up the glass in the second half and saw some guys come through with clutch shots so I'm very happy with the win."

Committing only three turnovers in the first half, the Huskies held Northern Michigan to 34.5-percent shooting and went into the break ahead 36-29. White totaled 10 points in the paint while Carter Johnston and Jalen Carter tallied three assists apiece. Brad Simonsen hit an open three with under five seconds to play to give the Huskies solid footing heading into the second half.

The Huskies maintained a near 10-point spread through most of the second half and pushed it to as many as 13 with 6:42 to play.

John Kerr drew the Wildcats back to four with a 3-pointer with 1:05 on the clock. The teams wrestled for a jump ball in front of the Huskies bench with 36 seconds remaining and the Huskies took a difficult jump shot with one on the shot clock off the front of the rim. 

Max Bjorklund missed a layup for NMU and Kerr fouled Trent Bell after Owen White located the rebound. Bell missed his ensuing free throw, giving the Wildcats another chance but Max Bjorklund missed a 3-pointer with eights seconds left. NMU sent Eric Carl to the line after a defensive rebound and he went 2-2 to put the game seemingly out of reach.

Then Carson Smith quickly netted a three for NMU to bring the score back to 76-73. The Wildcats fouled Hobson after Tech's in-bound pass and he converted one of two. Tre Harvey heaved a shot from behind half court which rattled it in at the final buzzer.

Hobson led the Huskies with 22 points (6-for-13) and four rebounds. White scored 15 points with a team high seven assists and five rebounds. Trent Bell (13 points) and Eric Carl (11 points) also landed in double figures.

"It felt great to win against our rivals on our home court," Hobson said. "I think we did a pretty good job making Northern hit tough shots in the first half. We got into a rhythm defensively and then that eventually carried over and our offense got some momentum and we were able to knock down some shots." 

Tech shot 49.1-percent (27-55) overall, including 41.4-percent (12-29) from beyond the arc. The Huskies struggled from the free throw line (11-17) at 64.7-percent. Both teams committed 10 turnovers.

Kerr ended with 17 points for Northern Michigan after shooting an efficient 7-for-11 and 3 of 4
from downtown with six rebounds. The Wildcats out-rebounded the Huskies 35-33. Tre Harvey also posted 15 points and Carson Smith marked 12 points off the bench. 

The Huskies (5-2, 2-0 GLIAC) have won three straight games and play again Thursday, December 9. Tipoff at the SDC against Lake Superior State is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Northern Michigan fell to 3-5, 0-2 GLIAC.