ESCANABA, MI – The Bay College Norse Women's Basketball Team (2-2) earned a split for the second weekend in a row using a strong shooting night to overcome the Mesabi Range Norse (0-3) by a final of 79-50 on Friday night. On Saturday they fell in a closely contested battle with Madison College (2-4) 44-40 in a low-scoring affair.
In the battle of the Norse mascots it was Bay College who took the lead early on and never looked back. The home team hit 50% of their shots in the first quarter to build a ten-point lead.
Bay never really relented in the second and led by as many as 15. Alaina Trudeau (SO, Gladstone, MI) knocked down two big three-pointers in the quarter. Bay ended the half scoring just two points in the last four minutes of play, allowing Mesabi to close the gap. The score stood at 29-18 at intermission.
Trudeau sparked the Bay offense in the second half knocking down another long ball on their second possession, and followed that up with another jumper to open up the game. The visitors got no closer then 12 points from there on out. Bay opened up an 18-point lead at the end of the third and led by as 36 mid way through the fourth quarter. The home team cruised to a 29-point victory.
It was by far Bay's bests offensive output of the young season as the most points they had scored in a game was 55 on November 4. Bay shot well, good for 50% of their attempts and were nine of 22 from behind the arc. They also outrebounded Mesabi Range 46-36 and created 21 turnovers.
Trudeau had a standout performance, going five of eight from deep and grabbing seven rebounds to go with her three assists, three steals, and 25 points. Alyssa Cretton (SO, Niagara, WI) also had an impressive line, coming up with 17 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Kassidy Roll (FR, Hermansville, MI) added 13 points.
Mesabi Range was led by Anna Fink (Virginia, MN) who had 18 points and six rebounds. Deetra Davis (Hibbing, MN) added 16 points and nine rebounds while Bonnie Taylor (Minneapolis, MN) ended her day with ten points.
Saturday ended up being a much different story as both teams struggled to find any consistent offense throughout the matchup. After Madison College took an early lead, the Norse responded and held a 3-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Although the Wolfpack tied it multiple times in the second quarter, they never took another first-half lead and trailed by one at half.
The two teams remained locked in a tight matchup. The Norse were unable to separate from the Wolfpack and with six minutes left in the third, found themselves trailing for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. The Norse fought back and found themselves tied heading into the final period.
Madison took control early in the fourth. With a two-point lead Jordanna Davis (FR, La Crosse, WI) knocked down a three, putting the Wolfpack up by five. Bay continued to battle and found an opportunity to close the gap to within one score. After a big stop, Trudeau connected on a three-pointer to close the lead to 33-32 with just over four minutes to play. Madison responded with some defensive stops and jumpers from Taylor Ripp (SO, Lodi, WI) and Davis opened up the lead for the visitors again.
Down six with just over a minute to play, the Norse had one last push to get back into the game. Trudeau pulled them to within four with a jumper and the Norse got a steal by Stephanie Frappy (SO, Bonduel, WI) to set up Roll with a layup, closing the lead to just two points. A timeout by Madison allowed them to set up a look, and they took advantage taking a four-point lead with just over ten seconds to play. The Norse caught a break when they were fouled with time winding down, but even with sinking both free throws, they still had fouls to give. Bay had to foul on three in bounds plays in order to extend the game and send Madison to the line. Unfortunately for them Madison's Emma Paulson (FR, Columbus, WI) iced the game away with two free throws, and the Norse did not have enough time left to continue their comeback.
Trudeau ended up with 11 points and seven rebounds. Roll grabbed 12 rebounds.
Davis led all scorers with 17 points. Ripp and Mikala Williams (SO, Milwaukee, WI) each grabbed ten rebounds for Madison.
The Norse have a schedule change for their next outing. Due to circumstances out of the control of Bay College they were forced to back out of the Lindquist Challenge at Gogebic on November 25 and 26. They were able to join into a classic tournament being held this coming weekend in Ely, Minnesota. On Friday they will square off with Rainy River Community College at 6 pm. On Saturday they will see Itasca Community College at 2 pm. Both games will be on Minnesota North -Vermilion's campus.