Click the thumbnails to see video highlights and to hear post-game comments from Jillian Fraser and Coach James Fassett.
ESCANABA---The Bay College Norse women's basketball team led from wire-to-wire and beat the Alpena Community College Lumberjacks, 119-40, in an MCCAA North Conference game Wednesday night in Escanaba.
The Norse outscored the Lumberjacks, 38-3, in the second quarter to effectively put the game away with a 62-14 halftime lead.
It was an 8-8 tie, however, halfway through the first quarter before the Norse players started shooting the lights out and causing multiple turnovers on defense.
“I think we started out two-for-probably ten,” Norse Coach James Fassett said. “We were getting a lot of bunnies but we just weren't hitting them. We weren't able to get into our press the way we like to, but once you score, it's easier to get into your press. Once our baskets started going in, then we were able to kind of impose our will.”
Bay forced a total of 40 Alpena turnovers, often leading to baskets at the other end.
Eight of the nine Bay players who suited up scored in double figures, led by St. Ignace's Jillian Fraser. Fraser drained seven triples to finish with a career-high 25 points.
“I felt pretty good,” Fraser said. “I missed a couple in the first half, but then, eventually, I started making them again. I haven't had a hot night recently, so finally, I did.”
“She's a shooter,” Fassett said. “Always been a shooter her whole life. All year. We've been telling her to shoot, but she hesitates quite a bit. Tonight, she was letting it go. She was open, letting it go and starting to go for it. So, hopefully there's more to come for her.”
Lauren Zawada of Bark River-Harris added 23 points, to go along with seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Her BR-H teammate, McKenzie Hoffmeyer added 15 points, one day after being named the MCCAA North Conference Player of the Week.
Other Norse players in double figures included Aubree Blackburn of Marquette (13 points), Makenna Hendrickson of Baraga (12 points, six assists, five rebounds, five steals), Marissa Ives and Nina Bower of Bark River-Harris (ten points each), and Gracie Kleikamp of North Central (also with ten points).
The Norse ended up throwing up 102 shots in the 40 minute game, making 47 of them. They hit 14 of 36 three-point attempts, and were 11-of-13 at the foul line.
Alpena (4-10 overall, 0-4 MCCAA) had just seven players in uniform Wednesday night. The Lumberjacks were led by Brooke Portice, who scored 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting. She also grabbed six rebounds.
Bay College improved to 15-3 on the season, 4-0 in conference play. That keeps the Norse a half-game ahead of Mid Michigan for first place in the standings. Bay will be at home again on Saturday against Delta College (10-8 overall, 3-1 MCCAA). Tip-off is set for 1:00 and you can listen live on Maverick 106.3 FM and on-line by clicking the audio link on the www.baynorse.com web site.
