L’ANSE — Ishpeming quickly jumped out on an undermanned L’Anse team for a 68-41 high school girls basketball victory at the Purple Hornets’ gym on Monday night.

“The girls rebounded well after the loss on Saturday afternoon,” Hematites coach Ryan Reichel said about his team falling to undefeated Negaunee. “We were happy with the effort on the defensive side of the ball today.

“Knowing that L’Anse only had six girls … we wanted to make sure to wear them out early with our press (defense).”

An 18-6 lead after the first quarter and 33-17 advantage at halftime also allowed him to empty his bench.

“We also were able to get girls some much-needed … game reps that helps us moving toward district (tournament) time,” Reichel said.

Ishpeming (14-3) seniors Madigan Johns and Mariah Austin were nearly inseparable. Johns scored a game-high 19 points and Austin had 18, each pulled in a team-high 10 rebounds, and both of them made two 3-pointers as they combined to sink 7 of 7 free throws.

For the Purple Hornets (6-11), sophomore Addison Mattson scored nine points.

The Hematites play at Escanaba on Thursday, while L’Anse hosts West Iron County on Monday.

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Lake Linden-Hubbell 56, Republic-Michigamme 28

At Lake Linden, the Hawks had no answer for the Lakes’ Laura Lyons, who pumped in 27 points.

“She drove through the lane a lot and had quite a few ‘and-ones,'” R-M coach April Radcliffe said. “She’s really quick.”

The Hawks (0-16, 0-12 Copper Mountain Conference) played LL-H even in the second half, 18-18, after the Lakes built a comfortable 38-10 halftime lead.

“In the second half, our girls were able to find the basket a little more, worked the ball around better, had fewer turnovers and played better defense,” Radcliffe said.

Freshman April Radcliffe and sophomore Tailyn Raisanen paced the Hawks with nine points each.

“April and Tailyn worked well together,” Coach Radcliffe said. “They were able to break the press in the first half, but they just couldn’t buy a basket.”

McKenna Keranen also had 10 points for the Lakes (4-13, 4-9).

R-M is back in action today with a boys-girls JV-varsity quadruple-header at Ewen-Trout Creek. The girls varsity game is set for 4:30 p.m. and boys varsity at 7:15 p.m.

LL-H, which also won the JV game 43-23, hosts Dollar Bay on Thursday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.