Negaunee, MI – February 10, 2017 – The Ishpeming Hematites could not overcome a slow start in Negaunee on Friday night as they fell to their rival, 71-57. Both the Hematites and Miners came into the game with 3 straight victories. Something had to give.
Ishpeming got off to a bit of a slow start in Lakeview Gymnasium, and they had no answer for Negaunee’s Trent Bell. Bell scored the game’s first 8 points, to give the Miners an 8-0 lead early. Ishpeming finally responded with baskets from Dondre Yohe and Dawson Dauphinais to cut Negaunee’s lead in half. But Negaunee kept up their offensive efficiency, and went on another 8-0 run to answer. Negaunee to a 17-7 lead into the 2nd quarter.
The Hematites fought back in the 2nd quarter. After Bell scored for the Miners to begin the 2nd quarter, Ishpeming responded with consecutive 3-pointers from Mitch Uhl and Hart Holmgren. Negaunee hit a free throw to stop the bleeding, but the Hematites kept coming. The Hematites went on a 5-0 run to cut the Miners’ lead to just 2. It was a back-and-forth battle throughout the remainder of the quarter. The Miners got a big basket from Trent Bell, who also got fouled and hit his free throw, just before halftime to give Negaunee a 36-29 lead. Bell poured in 22 first half points for the Miners.
The Hematites and Miners traded baskets on the first four possessions of the 2nd half, neither team being able to gain control. After Dondre Yohe scored to cut the Negaunee lead to 43-39, Trent Bell and Hart Holmgren stole the show. Each player scored two baskets to end the half, with Hart Holmgren’s coming last to cut the Hematites deficit to just 4 entering the final quarter.
Ishpeming cut the Miners lead to 2 to begin the quarter on a Mitch Uhl basket. Negaunee answered with 5 straight points to get their lead back up to 7. After the teams exchanged baskets and Hart Holmgren scored to make the game 54-49, the Miners turned up the heat. Negaunee scored the next 10 points of the game to essentially put the Hematites away. Ishpeming battled but couldn’t get their deficit back within single digits. They dropped the game to the Miners, 71-57.
The loss drops the Hematites to 7-7 on the season. They will look to get back to their winning ways when they take on the Marquette Redmen on Tuesday, February 14th. You can catch all the action here on 98.3 WRUP and WRUP.com.
LISTEN – FULL GAME – Ishpeming Hematites defeated by Negaunee Miners 71-57