ESCANABA, MI – The Bay College Norse Women's Basketball Team (13-6) led from start to finish on Wednesday night, earning a key victory against the Gogebic Community College Samsons (10-7) by a final of 64-52.
The Norse started off hot as they got three-pointers from Haley Trudell (SO, Rock, MI) on their first three trips down the floor. The Samsons fought back into the matchup, and pulled to within three midway through the second quarter, but Trudell would lead another charge to open the gap. She hit a three-pointer, a long two-point jump shot, and a second shot from behind the arc. JuliAnn Wickman (SO, Felch, MI) hit a three-point shot of her own, and then a three-point play after she was fouled finishing at the rim. When the dust had cleared, the Norse had gone on 16-2 run that led them to a 40-24 halftime lead.
The Norse continued to stretch their lead well into the third quarter and looked to be in cruise control, but a scoring drought changed the narrative quickly. A 12-0 Samson run that lasted into the fourth quarter cut the lead to ten with just less than eight minutes to play. The visitors managed to close to within eight with just over three minutes to play, but that would be as close as they would get. Bay went on to a 12-point victory in front of a boisterous home crowd.
Bay forced 31 Gogebic turnovers in the contest. The matchup was the first of the season between the two Region 13 opponents. The winner of the season series earns the right to host in the first round of the Regional Tournament. The two teams meet again on February 12 in Ironwood.
Trudell ended up sinking six out of nine attempted three-pointers in the game, and ended her night with twenty points. Wickman was a spark off the bench, scoring 14 points and grabbing five rebounds. Trish McGuire (FR, Gwinn, MI) finished with seven points and nine rebounds.
Samaiya Buchanan (FR, Minneapolis, MN) led the Samsons with 15 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Haley Grover (SO, Bigfork, MN) added ten points and nine rebounds.
Bay College is back in action on Sunday evening when they travel to Lake Superior State to face their JV team. That game is scheduled for a 5 pm tip.