L’Anse, MI- February 13, 2017- Tonight probably wasn’t the best game of the year for the Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team but winning on the road is never an easy task. Especially when your playing a L’Anse Purple Hornets team that is coming off three straight wins. The Hematites would struggle from the line, and give up a lot more free throws then they would like but it was their team rebounding that would be the difference in this game.
It was not a good start for the Hematites, especially defensively as they would allow the Purple Hornets to score 20 points in the first quarter. Ishpeming even struggled at the line as they went 0 for 3 from the line in the frame. The only aspect that the Hematites could be happy about is scoring 15 points. L’Anse would lead after one 20-15.
The second quarter would be better for the Hematites but still not the great play we’re use to seeing. The offense would struggle shooting and from the foul line but offensive rebounding would help them score 22 points in the frame. The defense would still give up another 14 points to the Purple Hornets but only give up two baskets, both 3-pointers, and the other 8 points came from the line. Good news is Ishpeming would head into the half up 37-34.
The third quarter was a quarter we are use to seeing from Ishpeming as they would play an all around good game. Defensively, they were able to hold L’Anse to only 8 points and score 12 points of their own in the frame. It was nice to see them continue scoring double digits but actually bring the defense in the quarter. Ishpeming led going into the fourth 51-42.
On a night where the ball was hard to get in the basket, the team would manage to still score 67 points. It wasn’t a strong game from the line, nor a great game defensively but the Hematites were relentless on the glass as they would grab 47 rebounds to the Purple Hornets 33. And that would be the difference in this one. Ishpeming wins this one 67-57.
LISTEN LIVE – ISHPEMING HEMATITES GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM DEFEATS L’ANSE PURPLE HORNETS 67-57.mp3