Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos from the game. Click the AUDIO buttons to hear comments from Coach James Fassett, and to hear the halftime interview with Bay assistant coach Devin Schmitz.
PORT HURON---The Bay College Norse women's basketball team rallied but lost to Macomb County Community College, 80-69, on Saturday, after cruising to a win overt the host SC4 Skippers, 64-52, Friday night. The result leaves the Norse with a 10-3 overall record, with one more non-conference game left before MCCAA play begins next Saturday,
“We just weren't 'us',” Norse Head Coach James Fassett said after Saturday's game. “We were behind a little bit. We just weren't ourselves today. About two steps slower than normal. The second quarter just kind of bit us, and they kind of pushed the lead on us pretty big.”
Indeed, it was a sluggish one from the beginning, with an 11 am tip-off coming on the heels of a food delivery at the hotel that didn't arrive until midnight. So, it took a while for the ladies to get going, with the game tied at 12-12 after the first quarter.
Macomb, however, sprinted to a double digit lead in the second quarter by outscoring the Norse, 28-14. Asiyah Jihad, who had 22 rebounds the day before against Grand Rapids, went to work on the Norse with seven second quarter points,
A'liyah Forris scored nine first half points and MyKenzi Harris scored eleven points as the Monarchs (11-4 overall) took a 40-26 lead at halftime.
Addison Cullen came off the bench to spark the Norse in that second quarter with eight points to keep her team in the game.
After halftime, the Monarchs continued to control the game, taking a 50-33 lead in the third quarter on a basket by Jihad. But then, the Norse got rolling, and it was the bench players that brought Bay back into the game.
Nina Bower knocked down two triples in the third quarter, and she was fouled while throwing up a desperation heave from beyond half court with less than one second left in the third quarter. After a lengthy video review, Bower sank all three foul shots.
That brought Bay to within 59-45, and the comeback was just getting started.
Jillian Fraser knocked down a pair of triples, and Bower scored inside the paint, pulling the Norse to within 63-53 early in the fourth quarter, Then Cullen went to work again with a couple of baskets in the paint to make it 66-59, and Bower drained another triple to make it 68-62 with five minutes to play.
After a defensive stop, the Norse got the ball inside to Cullen, and she scored a tough basket while getting fouled. Cullen made the free throw, and the Nosre were within 68-65 with 4:07 left in the game.
“She definitely helped us with the comeback,” Fassett said. “We were able to get the ball inside. The passing lanes weren't there, so it was hard to find buckets. So, if you can get a post-up, and catch close to the bucket, that helps. Addison did a great job of that today.”
But the Norse could get no closer as Jihad went down the court and scored, and the Monarchs put the game away at the free throw line, making 10 of 12 shots from the stripe in that fourth quarter.
“We had some answers there, but when you dig yourself a hole like that, you've got to score, but you've got to get stops,” Fassett said. “You can't trade baskets at that point, and I think in the fourth quarter we were doing well, but we were fouling and they were hitting free throws. Down three, you need to get a stop. But we foul, and it's back to five. We had a big fourth quarter, but just didn't do enough.”
Bay College was led by Cullen's 19 points and seven rebounds. Lauren Zawada was held to six points but she pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds. Bower had 16 points and six rebounds, and Hendrickson chipped in 12 points and five assists.
Macomb was led by Jihad's 22 points and 13 rebounds. Forris had 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists. And Harris had 16 points as the Monarchs went 2-0 in the tournament. Fassett says playing teams like Macomb will help his girls later on.
“We play at this level not to get 30-point wins all the time,” Fassett said. “If you're playing good teams, if you're playing top competition, it's not gonna go your way some nights. You've got to fight through that, and you've got to bounce back. There's a lot to learn from this one. We've got another one Wednesday.”
And that one will be Bay's first home game in a month this Wednesday night when the Bryant & Stratton Bobcats come to town from Milwaukee. Game time is 5:30 and it will be broadcast live on Maverick 106.3 FM and on-line by clicking the audio link at www,baynorse,com.
