IRONWOOD, MI - The Bay College women's basketball (10-10) team gave up 14 straight points late in the first quarter and lost to the Gogebic Community College Samsons (14-8) 72-51, in the first-ever meeting between the two U.P. schools Wednesday night in Ironwood.

The Norse had a 9-5 lead after a Caitlin Hewitt (SO, Ishpeming, MI) basket and foul, but Lexi Engler (SO, Mercer, WI) scored eight points to help the Lady Samsons take the advantage.  The Norse closed to within 19-14 after the first quarter when Jordan Belleville (FR, St. Ignace, MI) hit a three-point shot, and Bay was still within five at 21-16 in the second quarter after a Jordan Kraemer (FR, Norway, MI) basket.

Gogebic would take control at that point, expanding the lead to 33-22 at halftime, and then dominating the third and fourth quarters, taking leads as large as 28 points (66-38) in that second half.

The Samsons' all-time leading scorer, Lori Wardynski (SO, Ontonagon, MI), was the top scorer with 26 points.  Engler would finish with a double-double, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.  Bailey Froberg (FR, L'Anse, MI) also had a double-double with ten points and ten defensive steals.  Brooke Piilola (FR, Hurley, WI) chipped in 12 points.

For Bay, Kraemer led the way with 20 points.  Hewitt had nine, while Belleville and Justice Kinnunen (FR, Baraga, MI) both scored eight points.

The Norse are on the road again next Wednesday, facing the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc.  The game is a rematch from last Sunday which the Norse won by a score of 56-31.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm EST.