ESCANABA, MI - On Sophomore Night the Bay College Norse (20-6) would get a big offensive outpouring to defeat the Gogebic Community College Samsons (14-15) by a final score of 89-54 in their last regular season home game.
The Samsons were able to keep the game tight in the first quarter with some hot shooting. Gogebic would hit five of 12 from the field, which included two out of six from behind the three-point arc. Despite only hitting three of 15 attempts from the field, Bay would stay aggressive and go to the free throw line ten times, sinking eight of those opportunities. That allowed the Norse to hold on to a 14-12 lead after the first quarter.
From there the game would take a turn in Bay's favor. The Norse would go on a 23-3 run that would span over nine minutes of the second quarter and allow them to build an insurmountable lead. Gogebic's offense would sputter, as they would get convert just two three-point baskets in the quarter and shoot 11.8% over that span. It allowed the Norse to hold a comfortable 37-18 lead at the half.
While the intermission break would allow the road team to adjust and improve offensively, any doubts about the outcome of the matchup were put to rest in the third quarter. Bay's offense was incredibly efficient, as they would hit 58.8% of their shots and score 30 points in the quarter. At the end of the third, the Norse would lead by a score of 67-35.
With time winding down in the fourth quarter and the Norse comfortably in the lead, sophomore Jordan Kraemer (Norway, MI) set her sights on completing a career milestone in front of an anxious home crowd. With just over three minutes remaining, the Norse took possession after a Gogebic basket. Kraemer would take a pass from her left, swing the ball to the right wing, only to get the pass right back at the top of the key. With a defender closing in, she caught the ball in rhythm and released a three-point basket destined for Norse Athletics history. The home crowd was not disappointed and erupted as the shot went through the net, giving Jordan her 26th point of the night, and more importantly, her 1,000th career point. Norse Head Coach Rob Robinson immediately called a timeout and Jordan was mobbed by her teammates who offered hugs and congratulations on achieving the coveted milestone.
"It was an unbelievable feeling," said Kraemer of her achievement. "It's hard to describe it really. I held it together until my team came out and hugged me, then there were tears. It was just incredible and it's something I will never, ever forget."
"This was a great accomplishment for our program," said Head Coach Rob Robinson. "I have coached a lot of great players at this level, but I have never seen one reach 1,000 points in two years."
The Norse would shoot 47.6% for the game, including hitting on six of 19 from three-point. Bay would grab 53 rebounds in the contest, including 18 on the offensive end. The Norse would also continue to get to the line, converting 23 of 30 attempts from the charity stripe.
After the hot start for Gogebic, they would shoot just 27.9% from the field, and 23.8% from three. They would total 31 rebounds for in the matchup.
Kraemer would lead all scorers in the game with 26 points, while grabbing eight rebounds and collecting three assists and two steals. Jordan Belleville (SO, St. Ignace, MI) would add 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Keisha Davis (FR, St. Ignace, MI) would end her night with eight points and nine rebounds, while Brooke Dalgord (FR, Garden, MI) would tally eight points and seven rebounds. Paige Welch, playing in her last regular season home game as a Norse, would score seven points to go with five assists and two steals.
Gogebic was led by Maddy Conkright (FR, Bruce Crossing, MI) who ended with 14 points and four rebounds. Bailey Froberg (So, L'Anse, MI) fought foul trouble throughout and was held to 13 points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Haley Grover (FR, Big Fork, MN) added 11 points and four rebounds.
"Our pressure got to them in the second quarter," said Robinson when asked of his team's play. "We have a fun team to coach and as we get ready for post season play their confidence keeps growing and growing."
With the win the Norse secured the opportunity to host the Region XIII semifinal game. The first ever post season game in Norse Women's Basketball history will be played on Wednesday, February 27th, and be a rematch against Gogebic Community College. The time has yet to be determined and will be announced later in the week.
Bay College will wrap up regular season play on Monday as they travel to Finlandia University. That game will start at 5:30 pm.