SAULT STE. MARIE — The Marquette Senior High School girls basketball team picked up its third win in four games by traveling to Sault Ste. Marie and defeating the Blue Devils 53-51 on Tuesday evening.

Avery Osborne continued lighting up the scoreboard for the Sentinels, on this night to the tune of 23 points, to hand the Soo just their third loss of the season.

MSHS (5-10), which also defeated Westwood 57-40 on Jan. 29 and Houghton 55-40 on Feb. 3, trailed 14-13 after one quarter in the Soo before surging forward to go up 22-18 at halftime and 39-35 after three quarters.

In a tight game down the stretch, Marquette’s Lexi Curran, who finished with 14 points, drained a clutch 3-pointer to help her team fend off a determined Blue Devils’ comeback effort.

Addi Kramer added 11 to the winning effort, while teammate Alexa Whaley hit a pair of free throws in the third quarter for her points.

Piper Bell paced Sault Ste. Marie (13-3) with 15 points, while teammate Madee Darling added 13.

On deck for the Sentinels is a game at Upper Peninsula No. 1 Negaunee at 7:30 p.m. Friday, then three more games next week, including a home rematch against the Soo on Tuesday.

Hancock 37, Westwood 28

On Tuesday at Hancock, the Bulldogs pulled away in the fourth quarter as Westwood had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Hancock (9-7) led just 6-5 after one quarter before the score was knotted 17-17 at halftime. The Bulldogs were ahead 28-26 after three quarters before opening up their lead in the final period.

Lyn Magnuson led the Patriots (5-12) with nine points, while Eliisa Doney added eight as six players scored despite the modest team point total.

Hancock’s Lydia Pelli led all scorers with 12 points.

Westwood has four of its final five regular-season games at home, including each of the games the rest of this week and throughout next week.

The Pats host Menominee at 7:15 p.m. Friday, then welcome in West Iron County at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and Gwinn at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20.

Story contents based on an email received from Marquette girls basketball representative Steffani Gerard and a text message from Westwood coach Christie Makela. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.