SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Lawrence Tech used a decisive third-quarter surge and a balanced perimeter attack to pull away from the University of Michigan-Dearborn for a 70-60 WHAC victory on Wednesday night at Don Ridler Fieldhouse.

Leading 39-38 at halftime, the Blue Devils clamped down defensively in the third quarter, holding Michigan-Dearborn to just four points while outscoring the Wolverines 16-4 to create the separation that would decide the game. Sydney Garon's 3-pointer at the 7:03 mark pushed the lead to 44-40, and a midrange jumper from Dearborn native LaChelle Moreland-Jones later in the frame extended the margin to 54-42 as Lawrence Tech took control heading to the fourth.

From there, Lawrence Tech's offense and pressure defense sustained the advantage. Garon knocked down another 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to make it 60-42 with 8:07 to play, capping a stretch in which the Blue Devils repeatedly converted stops into points. Michigan-Dearborn made one late push, trimming the deficit to 66-58 on a 3-pointer by Bailey Stimac with 1:30 remaining, but Lawrence Tech closed it out at the line, highlighted by a late free throw from guard Ella Haupert in the final seconds to seal the 10-point win.

Lawrence Tech finished 26-for-64 from the field (40.6 percent) and connected on eight 3-pointers, using its spacing and ball movement to generate quality looks on the perimeter. The Blue Devils also controlled the glass with a 38-34 rebounding edge and turned active hands into 13 steals, matching Michigan-Dearborn with 16 turnovers but capitalizing more consistently on takeaways.

Guard Abbey Rey led the Blue Devils with 18 points, knocking down four 3-pointers and adding three rebounds and four steals as a two-way presence on the perimeter. Garon backed her with 16 points, including four 3-pointers of her own and four rebounds, setting the tone with an early fast-break 3-pointer just 37 seconds into the game and a transition layup that closed the first quarter with Lawrence Tech in front 21-14. Guard Bailie Stephens added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists, helping initiate the offense and contributing to Lawrence Tech's advantage on the boards.

Michigan-Dearborn stayed close early behind timely scoring but could not overcome the third-quarter drought. The Wolverines shot 22-for-59 (37.3 percent) from the field and 3-for-12 from beyond the arc while committing 16 turnovers against the Blue Devils' pressure. Stimac paced Michigan-Dearborn with 13 points and five rebounds, while Marissa Thomas added 12 points, including eight made free throws, and pulled down seven rebounds. A late 3-pointer from Lillian Golson in the second quarter had cut the halftime gap to one at 39-38, but that would be as close as Michigan-Dearborn came after the break.

With the conference win at Don Ridler Fieldhouse, Lawrence Tech continues WHAC play on Saturday, Jan. 24, when the Blue Devils host the University of Northwestern Ohio.