ISHPEMING – Westwood girls basketball coach Kurt Corcoran got what he’s been looking for this season – a “clean” game by his Patriots.

And it paid off with a 40-37 victory over visiting Gwinn on Friday night.

In the final game of the regular season, the win improved Westwood to 5-15 overall and 3-9 in the Mid-Peninsula Conference while the Modeltowners slipped to 6-14 and 2-10.

“It was a good game all the way through,” Corcoran said. “I think the biggest lead was probably five points for both sides.

“We limited our mistakes that have haunted us toward the end of games this season.”

Sophomore Elizabeth Farley paced the Patriots with 13 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Marissa Carello and senior Hannah Salmi had nine points apiece.

For Gwinn, sophomore Tierra Taylor had 18 points and nine rebounds. She made 8 of her 10 free throws tries.

“We put a lot of pressure on their Nicole Usher, their point guard, and that left us less help against Taylor,” Corcoran said. “She plays quite a game.”

A key stretch occurred in the third quarter when Westwood scored 10 straight points to turn a 26-21 deficit into a 31-26 lead.

The Pats made several free throws down the stretch to hold off Gwinn, which tried a game-tying 3-pointer right at the buzzer.

“Taylor took the final shot, and it looked from my angle that it was going in,” Corcoran said.

The Modeltowners won the JV game, 30-27.

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