The Collegian

Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Brad Monastiere Freshman Brad Guinane puts up a free throw in one of teh two games the Chargers played in the Upper Pennisula last weekend. The Chargers won both games against Northern Michigan and Tech.

In beating Northern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University last weekend, the Chargers put themselves in line to host a home GLIAC tournament game for the first time.

Thursday, the Chargers squeaked out a one-point, last-second victory against Northern's Wildcats, 75-74. Saturday the team traveled even further north in the Upper Pennisula and kept the train rolling with a 64-56 win at Michigan Tech.

"I don't think we've won both in a long time," senior center Tony Gugino said. "That bus ride is absolutely horrible, and both gyms are kind of cold. We knew going in that if we could take both, it would set us up for the conference and the tournament."

The game against Northern in Houghton, Mich., did not start out according to plan with an 11 point deficit by halftime and 10 turnovers.

"The first half we were a poor defensive team," head coach John Tharp said. "We let them get into a rhythm. We just really struggled on both ends of the floor."

Fortunately, the team came out of the locker room for the second half focused and fought their way back. Tharp said the team kicked it up several notches following the lead of Gugino and senior Chris Skaggs.

"In the second half our intensity really picked up on both ends of the court," Tharp said. "Skaggs played really, really well and Gugino was great."

Both Tharp and Gugino highlighted Skaggs' clutch rebound and put-back with one second left to win the game.

"Skaggs called it," Gugino said. "He said 'Fellas, throw it up; I'll go get it.' [Senior] Keith [MacKenzie] took the shot and Skaggs got the rebound."

The hard-fought win boosted team morale before heading into the Michigan Tech game in Marquette, Mich., Tharp said.

"It's a tough trip," Tharp said. "When you get the first one, it kinda shows you the light at the end of the tunnel. It was an uplifting win - gave us confidence and energy for Tech."

Despite early struggles, the men grabbed the lead and held on to it for the duration.

Continued...

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