Houghton, MI – February 6th, 2019 – Several schools met in Houghton to play make-up games after school cancellations due to weather earlier in January. The Ishpeming Hematites joined the fray to take on the Houghton Gremlins, and Tyler was back in the booth with Bob to bring you all the action on 98.3 WRUP and online at WRUP.com!
The Ishpeming Hematites broke out quickly and led by three a minute into the first, but the Gremlins battled back to take the lead after two minutes of play. Baskets were falling left and right for both teams, but neither could gain a clear advantage as the quarter ticked away. The Hematites were forced to use a full timeout after they fell behind 20-16, however, there was still plenty of game left. Houghton managed to keep the lead as the first quarter ended, but not by much.
First Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 18
Houghton Gremlins: 22
It was a high-scoring first quarter, but the Ishpeming Hematites were unable to stay close to Houghton after the start of the second. The Gremlins began to pull away and led 31-22 with 5:00 left in the first half. There seemed to be not much that Ishpeming could do against the tough Houghton defense, and the Hematites continued to trail as the first half ticked under three minutes. It was 39-28 for the Gremlins with 1:30 left, and Ishpeming seemed to find a little life as baskets started to fall for them.
First Half Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 28
Houghton Gremlins: 41
The Ishpeming Hematites were trailing after the first half, but had a chance to regroup their thoughts at halftime. 13 points was not an impossible comeback, and they seemed to sense that as they stuck with the Gremlins early in the third. Houghton held their double-digit lead for much of the quarter, and Ishpeming started to show signs of panic. It was 60-47 with :30 seconds left in the third, and the comeback for the Hematites would have to happen in the final quarter.
Third Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 47
Houghton Gremlins: 60
Fouls from earlier in the game were starting to haunt the Ishpeming Hematites, and Houghton took advantage of them by draining nearly all of their free throw attempts. 68-52 was the score with just over five minute remaining in the game, and hope was fading for the blue. Houghton had excellent ball control in the fourth, and that allowed them to keep their lead in double digits as the final minute neared. Nothing seemed to work in Ishpeming’s favor, but that didn’t stop them from playing a great game and giving it their all until the last buzzer.
Final Game Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 65
Houghton Gremlins: 75