NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee boys varsity basketball team used a big second quarter to top rival Ishpeming 62-27 at Lakeview Memorial Gym on Wednesday night.

The Upper Peninsula No. 2-ranked Miners, who improved to 8-0, outscored the Hematites 26-8 in the second quarter to take a commanding 35-10 lead into halftime.

Eight of those points came out of the hands of Miners senior guard Jason Waterman, who led all scorers with 17.

Ishpeming (2-4) was unable to produce much on offense all night, being held under 10 points in all four quarters.

Negaunee held a 9-2 advantage after one period and a 47-18 lead after the third.

Senior guard Drew Lindberg was the Miners’ next best point-getter with 10, while senior forward Chas Kumpula added eight. Senior guard Jakson Sager and senior forward Alex Munson also pitched in six apiece.

The Hematites were paced by senior Gavin Argall with a 10-point night. Sophomore Jayce Kipling and senior Jacob Kugler each added four.

Negaunee was 12 of 19 at the free throw line to Ishpeming’s 2 of 7. Field goal and rebounding statistics weren’t available.

Negaunee visits Hancock (1-3) on Monday while Ishpeming takes its second consectuive road trip within the county by visiting U.P. No. 3 Marquette (5-2) on Tuesday.

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Houghton 54, Gwinn 52

At Houghton, the Gremlins’ Brad Simonsen was a one-man wrecking crew as he poured in 39 points that included five 3-pointers and 6 of 7 at the free throw line.

The West PAC rivals played a similarly controlled style of play which as they moved the ball around looking for the open shot, according to a report from the Daily Mining Gazette of Houghton. Gwinn, however, was still down 43-36 at the start of the fourth.

Momentum changed as the buckets started to fall for Gwinn while Houghton went cold. The Modeltowners began the last eight minutes with a 3-pointer by David Duvall and went on 6-0 point run to take a 44-43 lead with 5:39 left to play.

It then became a 48-48 tie with 1:42 left much to the frustration of Houghton coach Jordan Lawson as he watched a series of Simonsen’s attempts bounce around the rim and back out.

“I can’t imagine how many he would have had if all those that went in and out fell through,” Lawson said.

Pablo Salgado added 12 points for the Gremlins, who only had three players score.

For Gwinn, however, David Duvall led the way with 14 points that include four 3-pointers, Nick Lightfoot added 11, James Harnick had nine points on three 3-pointers and Reid Hill scored eight.

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