The school-record 3,131 fans that attended the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship game between the host Michigan Tech Huskies and the Drury Panthers were not disappointed on Tuesday night. Michigan Tech and Drury battled hard, but the Huskies shot a blistering 65 percent from the floor to punch their ticket to St. Joseph, Mo. and the NCAA Elite Eight with an 84-68 victory.

“I want to thank the community and everyone that was at the game – what an atmosphere – they definitely helped pull the team through,” said head coach John Barnes. “I think Drury did an outstanding job. They played really hard, and every time I thought we had them in a hole, they would dig themselves out in a hurry.”

Neither team led by more than four points during the first 14 minutes, and Michigan Tech only led for 41 seconds during the first 12 minutes. Ultimately, the Huskies poured it on at the end of the first half, finishing with a 20-11 run to head into the halftime break with a 42-32 lead.

Drury did not back away, though, starting the second half with a 9-2 run before Michigan Tech came back with a 13-2 run of their own. However, just as Barnes mentioned, Drury fought back yet again, going on a 16-6 run to cut the lead to 63-59 with 8:23 remaining in the game. The roller coaster second half continued as Michigan Tech answered with a 15-0 run that turned out to be the final dagger, putting the Huskies ahead 78-59 with 4:28 left. The Huskies ultimately settled on a 16-point margin of victory as the massive crowd rose to its feet, staying through the trophy presentation and the cutting down of the nets.

“If this team [the Huskies] can shoot the ball that well, and get that kind of inside production…I don’t think anybody can beat them,” said Drury head coach Steve Harold.

Danae Danen had a career day to say the least, scoring a school postseason record 30 points, hauling down 12 rebounds and blocking five shots, earning her the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament award. Katie Wysocky had 19 points while Katie Zimmerman had 18, with five three pointers. The Huskies turned the ball over an uncharacteristic 15 times and gave up 15 offensive rebounds, but their 65-43 percent shooting percentage advantage was the difference, including 50-27 percent on threes. Four Drury players scored in double figures, as Katie Pritchard and Lindsay Ballweg each scored 16, while Melanie Oliver and Caitlin Shouse each pitched in 12.

Looking ahead, the now 31-2 Huskies will travel to the Elite Eight in Missouri, where they face 24-5 Emporia State on Tuesday. The Huskies lost in the Elite Eight round last year, but are relying on that experience to avoid the same fate this year.

“We were there last year, got a little experience, and know what it’s all about,” said Sarah Stream, in her sixth year as a Husky after two medical redshirts. “We still need to take it one game at a time, but our ultimate goal is to win a national championship.”

The Lode will be following the Huskies’ championship run, with two reporters in Missouri, bringing live blogs and thorough coverage throughout. Check out Thursday’s print edition for additional coverage of tonight’s game and a brief look at next week’s Elite Eight, Final Four and National Championship.