ESCANABA, MI – The Bay College Women's Basketball Team (6-14, 2-4 MCCAA) snapped a four-game losing streak by picking up a 46-38 win over Kirtland Community College (1-11. 1-5 MCCAA).
The game was an offensive challenge throughout, which was clearly illustrated from the opening tip. It took nearly five minutes for either team to score. Alyssa Cretton (SO, Niagara, WI) connected on a pair of free throws to get things going, and Tianna Taylor (SO, Gwinn, MI) made the first field goal of the game with 4:40 remaining in the first quarter, giving Bay a 4-0 lead.
The Norse would never surrender the lead, but weren't able to pull away either. The Norse held a 15-9 lead after the first quarter of play. The Firebirds pulled to within one basket multiple times. An 8-2 run to close out the first half gave Bay a 25-17 lead at intermission.
Kirtland's Kennedy Johnson (FR, Gaylord, MI) entered the game averaging 17 points per game but scored just two in the first half. She came alive to start the third quarter.
With the Norse up ten, Johnson led a charge by Kirtland. She would score six of the team's nine points in the first five minutes of the third quarter, closing the Norse lead to just three points. Bay survived the run and held a 35-30 lead going into the final period.
Kirtland started the fourth on a nearly four-minute scoring drought. Bay was only able to get a Cretton three-pointer in that stretch, but it proved to be enough cushion for the home team. The two teams would trade baskets down the stretch, with Kirtland could never get their deficit lower than six. Bay held on for the eight-point victory.
Neither team was incredibly efficient in the match. Bay shot just 28.1% while the Firebirds were a paltry 24.6% from the floor. Both teams only made two three-point baskets apiece, but Bay did it in 11 attempts while Kirtland hoisted up 25 tried from deep. That perhaps was the difference in the game, as the Norse spent more time attacking the rim, getting to the free throw line 16 times and making 12 of them, while Kirtland was just two of five from the charity stripe.
Cretton led all scorers with 18 points, which included going seven of eight from the free throw line. She also had five points and five assists. Taylor was a point short of a double-double, scoring nine points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Stephanie Frappy (SO, Bonduel, WI) grabbed eight rebounds.
Johnson ended up with a big second half for the Firebirds and amassed 14 points, ten rebounds, and two assists. Erika Terry (FR, Roscommon, MI) grabbed eight rebounds.
Bay Athletics sponsored a charity event in connection with the games played on Wednesday evening to benefit the Weaver family of Escanaba who experienced a tragedy this past week. Through the generosity of the Norse fans in attendance, and with a matching contribution from Billerud, $3,611.50 was raised and will be donated to the Weaver family in their time of need.
The Norse also celebrated Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night. Athletes from both the Men's and Women's Basketball Teams were asked to pick a faculty or staff member that they feel have positively affected their lives and careers at Bay College. Those individuals were honored in between games, as were all of the faculty and staff for their hard work and dedication to the students at Bay.
The Norse will face a stiff challenge if they are going to try to win two in a row, as they travel downstate to meet up with Mid Michigan College on Saturday. The Lakers are undefeated in conference play after six games and hold a 17-3 overall record. That matchup will start at 1 pm.