Bay Women Can't Hold Big Lead Downstate, 66-62

PORT HURON---The Bay College Norse women's basketball team raced to a 23-5 lead but couldn't hang on, falling to Mott Community College, 66-62, Friday afternoon at a tournament in Port Huron. Jordan Kraemer scpred 15 points during that first quarter outburst, but the Lady Bears got their wake-up call and turned the game around.

Still, the Norse had a chance to win the game at the end, but came up short.

Mott had no answer for Kraemer early on, as she slashed to the basket several times and scored on driving layups, twice set up by Paige Welch.

Justice Kinnenen nailed two three-pointers, and Jordan Bellville scored in transition, and it was a big Norse lead.

But the athleticism of the Lady Bears, and their aggressive defense, forced the Norse into several turnovers, and Mott was able to slice into that big deficit. The school out of Flint outscored the Norse, 19-7, in the second quarter, to close to within 30-24 at halftime.

Mott continued to control the game in the third quarter, as Jacara Thompson was tough for the Norse defense to contain. She scored nine straight points in one stretch, as the Bears took a 41-34 lead, completing a 17-4 spurt to start the second half.

Bay was able to weather the storm, however, and managed to stay within striking distance entering the fourth quarter.

And then Kraemer got hot again, scoring three baskets in a two-minute stretch.

Her Norway teammate, Teidra Fuson, had her best game in a Norse uniform as she put up four baskets and three free throws in the fourth quarter.

Fuson's basket on the press break gave the Norse a 62-61 lead with 2:38 left.

But Thompson was too much down the stretch, as her dominance inside became evident on two possessions where she scored at one end and played tough defense at the other.

Bay trailed, 65-62, when Caitlin Hewitt jumped in front of a high pass at the Norse end of the court. She dribbled up the sideline and appeared to be knocked over, but the play continued with no foul called.

As Hewitt hit the floor hard, the ball popped away, and the Bears picked it up. Kraemer was forced to foul Claudia Freed with 5.9 seconds left, and Freed made one free throw to put the game away. Norse Coach Rae Drake, Jr., was inflamed at the lack of a foul call, and after the final horn went, he was ejected from the game.

Kraemer ended up with 30 points, while Fuson added 17 for the Norse.

Thompson had 32 points for the Bears, who improved to 3-4 on the season.

Bay College (3-5) will face St. Clair County Community College on Saturday. Game time is 3:00. It will be broadcast live on WMXG-FM (Maverick 106.3).

Click the above headline to see photos, videos, and listen to Jordan Kraemer's player spotlight interview and Drake's post-game comments.