Freshman Makenna Hendrickson of Bay College takes a 3-point shot against Gogebic Community College on Nov. 20, 2024, at the Bay College Gymnasium. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)
Bay College Women’s Basketball Dominates Gogebic Community College
ESCANABA — The Bay College Norse women’s basketball team showcased their improvement on both ends of the floor in an impressive 86-55 victory over Gogebic Community College on Wednesday evening.
Defensive Fortitude and Offensive Surge
The Norse maintained a strong defensive presence throughout the game, which enabled their offense to find its rhythm. Despite holding a narrow 46-42 lead late in the third quarter, Bay pulled ahead with a decisive 10-2 run, capped off by a layup from freshman guard Anisa Longs, who extended the lead to 56-44 with just 20 seconds left in the period.
Fourth Quarter Dominance
Bay continued to build momentum, outscoring Gogebic 10-2 in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, creating a comfortable 66-46 lead after a free throw by sophomore guard Kennedy Sproule.
Quotes from the Players
“I believe we are making strides defensively,” Sproule commented. “Our bench brought a lot of energy which was crucial. It’s essential for us to secure as many wins as we can to keep our energy levels high.”
Breaking the Losing Streak
With this win, the Norse improved their record to 2-3, snapping a two-game losing streak after their first game since Nov. 9. They further solidified their lead, reaching an 86-52 advantage thanks to a jumper from freshman guard Kadie Kaukola in the closing moments.
“We just started playing harder,” stated freshman guard Anna Axtell. “Everyone on our team contributes, so fatigue isn’t usually a concern. It felt like we had to step up our game after a somewhat sluggish start. I got into some foul trouble early, but once I was back in the groove, I found my rhythm.”
Staying Competitive Despite the Score
The Gogebic Samsons, still seeking their first win of the season with a record of 0-6, remained competitive despite trailing 38-31 at halftime. They attempted to rally with a drive from sophomore guard Melissa DiGiorgio, cutting the deficit to 38-34 early in the third quarter.
Game Highlights
Bay College initially faced a challenge as the Samsons established an early 8-6 lead, thanks to a driving layup by DiGiorgio. However, the Norse responded with a 9-0 run to seize a 15-8 lead. As the game progressed, Bay managed to maintain a buffer, heading into halftime with a 23-15 lead.
Key Performances
Leading the charge for the Norse was Kennedy Sproule, who totaled 23 points and secured eight rebounds. Axtell contributed significantly with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jada Fruedinger added 11 points and eight rebounds. Kadie Kaukola and Mckenzie Hoffmeyer each chipped in with 6 and 10 points, respectively.
On the side of Gogebic, Melissa DiGiorgio led with 21 points, supported by Kate Borseth with 12 points and four assists, and Brooke Stanislawski with 10 points.
Looking Ahead
With a remarkable rebounding advantage of 48-33 and a dominant performance in the paint (50-22), the Norse will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to face Lake Region State College (N.D.) in Minneapolis on Saturday, followed by a rematch against Gogebic in Ironwood on Tuesday.
Final Score
Gogebic C.C. 15 16 13 11 — 55
Bay College 23 15 18 30 — 86
