MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Lynn University men's basketball team dropped to 8-4 on the season following a nonconference setback against No. 9 Michigan Tech on Saturday evening at the FIT Holiday Classic. The Fighting Knights battled throughout the contest and received balanced production across the lineup, but an early three-point surge by the nationally ranked Huskies proved decisive as Lynn now turns its attention to Sunshine State Conference play in the new year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Michigan Tech set the tone early, opening the game with a barrage from beyond the arc to jump out to a quick double-digit lead
-Braydon Iuli scored Lynn's first basket of the evening as the Fighting Knights looked for a rhythm offensively in the opening minutes
- Michigan Tech continued to stretch the floor, knocking down multiple threes to build a 20-6 advantage at the first media timeout
- Lynn found some late offense through Max Polk, Justin Bubak, and Antoine Jacks, including a three from Sveinn Birgisson, to stabilize the score heading into the break
- Michigan Tech carried a 64-36 lead into halftime after shooting efficiently from deep and controlling the tempo
- Lynn opened the half with a free throw from Matthew Puodziukaitis, but Michigan Tech quickly extended the margin with continued three-point shooting
- The Huskies opened the first five minutes on a run, turning turnovers into transition scores to push the lead past 40
- Lynn got steady offense from Iuli and JP Baron, plus a transition dunk from Birgisson, but Michigan Tech answered every response with more perimeter shots
- The Fighting Knights continued to compete on both ends, forcing a few steals and getting to the line, but Michigan Tech's shooting and second-chance chances kept the gap wide
- Lynn's reserves closed the final stretch with energy, highlighted by late threes from Christian Maxon as the Fighting Knights played through the final horn
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Birgisson led Lynn in scoring with 11 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting from the field
- Polk finished with 11 points, knocking down a pair of three-pointers and adding two rebounds and an assist
- Bubak added 10 points, going 6-for-7 at the free-throw line while pulling down three rebounds
- Iuli contributed nine points and two assists, attacking the paint throughout the contest
- Baron chipped in nine points, including a three-pointer, to go along with two strong finishes at the rim
- Christian Maxon knocked down two three-pointers late, providing an offensive spark off the bench
- Lynn's bench accounted for 34 points, continuing to compete through the final horn
- The Fighting Knights finished with 30 points in the paint and forced 11 points off turnovers
 
UP NEXT:
The Fighting Knights return to action in 2026 when the Blue and White head to Saint Leo on January 3 for SSC action against the Lions at 4:30 pm.