GWINN — The Gwinn High School girls basketball team dug itself out of an early hole to score a 42-25 victory at home over Bark River-Harris on Thursday evening.

“They hit us with a quick 9-0 start off three 3(-pointer)s, but credit to our girls, it didn’t rattle us,” Modeltowners head coach Adam Ely said in an email detailing the result. “We loved the defensive effort, holding them to 14 (points) for the remaining three quarters and only eight (points) in second half.

“We rotated nine (players) in the first half, so we (had) one of those nights where everyone stepped up and did their part.”

Gwinn’s Makayla Delmont led all scorers with 20 points, hitting three 3s — one in each of the first three quarters — and sinking 5 of 7 free throws.

As a team, the Modeltowners (3-2) made 10 of 14 free throws to just 3 of 5 for BR-H (3-4).

Ely was also happy with the contribution of Alayna Soyring, who had nine points.

“Nine points doesn’t usually jump off a page, but (with) the work we ask Alayna Soyring to do defensively, it’s a big deal for her to also chip in those nine,” Ely said.

The early burst allowed the Broncos to jump out to an 11-9 lead after one quarter, but by halftime, the Modeltowners had grabbed a 20-17 advantage, upping it to 31-20 by the end of the third.

Dakota Bridges paced the Broncos with nine points.

After Gwinn had its Friday night home game vs. Escanaba postponed, the Modeltowners host Jeffers at 6 p.m. today and play at Negaunee at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Houghton 56, Westwood 43

On Thursday at Houghton, Kaylin Doney paced a balanced Patriots scoring attack with 10 points as Lyn Magunson added nine with eight players scoring.

Westwood (1-6) jumped out to a 15-9 lead after one quarter and 26-21 at halftime before a big third quarter by the Gremlins put them on top 42-33.

Ellie Hainault of Houghton (6-2) led all scorers with 18 points.

The Patriots are set to host Iron Mountain at 7:15 p.m. today before hosting Negaunee at 6 p.m. Friday.

Story contents based on email received from Gwinn head coach Adam Ely and a text from Westwood head coach Christie Makela. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.