Ishpeming’s Mariah Austin, center, is fouled by Westwood’s Elizabeth Farley, right, during a layup attempt in the third quarter of their high school girls basketball game played in the Hematites gym on Monday. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

ISHPEMING — A game between heated rivals should come down to the final seconds, and it did between the Ishpeming and Westwood girls basketball teams on Monday night.

Trailing 42-40 with 6 seconds to go, the Patriots and coach Kurt Corcoran set up a play that went to sophomore guard Tessa Leece.

But it fell just short as the Hematites hung on for the two-point victory in their home gym.

“We drew up the game and it worked to perfection other than the ‘3’ was about a half-inch off,” Corcoran said.

Ishpeming head coach Ryan Reichel concurred.

“Tessa Leece had a 3 fall short that looked in from the bench,” he said.

Corcoran characterized the game as typical of their rivalry.

“It was a game of runs, we’d go up five points, then they’d go up five points,” he said.

The score was 10-10 after one quarter and 25-20 Westwood at halftime before the Hematites came back to take a 36-34 advantage heading into the final period.

“In the first half, we had a chance to bust the game open, but we missed a few key layups and (Westwood’s Madelyn) Koski came down and scored a few baskets,” Reichel said. “(Westwood) did a good job packing the paint on us during that stretch and took a … halftime lead.”

Both coaches explained that the Pats hit a shot to take a 40-38 lead in the late going before Ishpeming’s Madigan Johns hit a jumper as she was falling off balance to tie it up.

After that, the Hematites’ Chloe Sjoholm made two free throws to put IHS up 42-40, setting up Westwood’s last-gasp shot attempt.

Johns led all scorers with 23 points, while teammate Mariah Austin added 11.

Leece scored 16 points for Westwood, while Koski added 13 that included a trio of 3-pointers.

The Hematites also won the JV game 40-30.

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Gwinn 55, Houghton 45

At Gwinn, Tierra Taylor and Mallory Delmont combined for 37 points in what Ben Olsen called one of the best regular-season wins he’s coached for the Modeltowners.

“It was my first win against Houghton as a head coach,” he said. “I think beating a quality opponent like Houghton is a real testament to our team.”

Taylor scored 19 points and Delmont 18 off the bench.

The contest was close throughout, with the score 8-8 after the first quarter. The Modeltowners put up a big second quarter with 24 points to take a halftime lead of 32-25. Gwinn also had a 10-point edge going into the fourth quarter and maintained that.

Olson added this is one of the best rosters he’s had.

“It’s probably one of the most athletic teams I’ve ever had,” he said. “It took us a few games to get caught up. We’ve had a weird mix of girls who have been there before and girls that are getting their first varsity experience.”

Gwinn travels to Escanaba on Dec. 20.

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Engadine 50, Manistique 46

At Manistique, the Emeralds’ offense dried up in the second quarter and they were never able to quite catch up.

Leading 10-8 after one quarter, Manistique managed just two points in quarter No. 2 and fell behind 27-12 at halftime.

The Emeralds played catchup, pulling within 36-31 after three quarters.

“We played three real good quarters, but softened up a little on defense in the second,” Emeralds coach Dave Winkel said. “They were able to get shots inside and we never got a flow going in the second quarter.

“In the third quarter, we got back to playing good defense and did a real nice job. We just got the momentum and tied the score with three minutes to go. It was exciting to be in a game down the stretch.”

The loss was the 25th straight for the Emeralds, dating back to their last regular-season game of the 2015-16 season when they won 45-35 at Big Bay de Noc.

Aubrey Simmons scored 18 points for Engadine (3-1), which held a 30-20 rebounding edge.

“We put Joslyn Muth on Simmons to play her in the post,” Winkel said. “I thought she did a phenomenal job. Sydny Peterson played well, too. She played under control.”

Madison Kraatz paced Manistique (0-3) with 16 points. Renae Schuetter added 13.

MHS won the JV game 36-30.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee and Journal Sports Writer Ryan Spitza with contributions from the Escanaba Daily Press. Email Brownlee and Spitza at sports@miningjournal.net.