×

Negaunee girls basketball team holds on for victory vs. Gwinn, Munising escapes Manistique in OT

GWINN — It was a game that opened some eyes on the calendar with 7-1 Negaunee facing off against 7-1 Gwinn in girls basketball action.

That game was nothing short of eventful, with the Miners ultimately prevailing 50-40 at the Modeltowners gym on Tuesday night.

Negaunee was led by senior guard MacKenzie Karki with 13 points as junior guard Chloe Norman added 12.

Gwinn senior guard Brooke Mannor led all scorers with 14 points, though, while the Modeltowners defense held Negaunee standout senior forward Abigail Nelson to just one field goal and seven points.

The effort wasn’t enough to get a win for the Modeltowners, who dropped to 7-2 after falling into an early 16-1 hole after one quarter.

“We went 1-of-18 shooting in the first half and dug ourselves into a hole,” Gwinn head coach Ben Olsen said. “We shot lights out in the third, though, and I told the girls we were one big quarter away from getting back into the game.

“Having to use all of your energy to get back into a game makes it tough. We cut the lead to five at one point, but it wasn’t enough.”

The Modeltowners trailed 23-6 at halftime, but a 23-point surge of their own in the third quarter made the game much closer. Gwinn’s defense limited the Miners to a 12-point third quarter to make the score 35-29 after three.

Negaunee was able to pick its offense back up in the fourth, outscoring the Modeltowners 15-11 to avert the comeback and improve to 8-1 overall.

The Miners shot 14 of 32 from the field while Gwinn was 12 of 51. Free throws also proved critical for Negaunee, sinking 20 of 32 while Gwinn went 12 of 27.

Negaunee grabbed 32 rebounds with freshman center Alyssa Hill grabbing 11 while Gwinn had 25 with junior forward Megan Ruokolainen had six.

Gwinn hosts Calumet on Friday while Negaunee visits Westwood (11-0).

———————

Munising 47, Manistique 42 (OT)

At Manistique, it took overtime for the Mustangs to end their three-game skid and improve to 5-4.

Munising was up 11-3 after eight minutes before the Emeralds (2-8) used a 14-point second frame to tie things up 17-17 at halftime.

Manistique gained a one-point lead after three, but the Mustangs managed to outscore the Emeralds 11-10 in the fourth to retie it 37-37 and force OT.

Munising’s offense did just enough in the extra period, outscoring Manistique 10-5 to escape.

Munising shot 11 of 51 from the field while Manistique was 15 of 52. The Mustangs went 21 of 41 from the free throw line with the Emeralds going 9 of 23.

Munising grabbed 37 rebounds with senior Michaela Werner getting 12. Manistique had 28 rebounds with junior Emilee McDaniel grabbing eight.

Werner led all scorers with 18 points while senior Daryn Johnson added 13 for the Mustangs. Manistique was led by senior Joslyn Muth with 19 points while McDaniel had six.

Munising hosts Rapid River (3-3) on Friday while Manistique visits Ishpeming (2-6).

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Spitza. Email him at sports@miningjournal.net.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today