Ishpeming, MI – February 24, 2017 – The Ishpeming Hematites concluded their regular season Thursday night at home when they took on the Negaunee Miners. The Hematites had a tough night offensively en route to a 44-34 loss at the hands of the Miners.
Negaunee’s Hailey Fezatt started the game hot as she scored the first 4 points scoring one field goal and two free throws. After getting down 4-0 early, the Hematites responded with a 7-0 run. Mariah Austin scored twice to go along with a Chloe Sjoholm 3-pointer to lead the charge. Negaunee had an answer. They scored 6 straight points after an Abby Nelson 3-pointer and MacKenzie Karki getting 3 the old fashioned way. Ava Asgaard scored a bucket late to cut the Miners’ lead to 10-9 after the first quarter.
The second quarter began with action that gave the impression it was going to be another close quarter. Hailey Fazatt again got things going for the Miners with a basket. Then after Marissa Maino converted one of two free throws, Fezatt struck again with a 3-pointer to give Negaunee a 15-10 lead. Khora Swanson got a basket to go to get the score to 15-12, but that would prove to be the last points the Hematites would score in the half. Ishpeming could not buy a basket and Negaunee capitalized. The Miners scored the final 10 points of the half and the Hematites found themselves trailing 25-12 heading into halftime.
The Hematites began the third quarter looking to cut into the Negaunee lead. Katie Loman kicked it off with a basket, but Negaunee responded with 4 straight points of their own. Down 15, Marissa Maino scored two straight times and Khora Swanson converted a 3-point play to get Negaunee’s lead back to single digits at 29-21. Each team scored 4 more points in the quarter as Negaunee took a 33-25 lead into the final quarter.
Negaunee’s strategy in the 4th quarter was to control the clock, and make the game as short as possible. They accomplished exactly what they wanted to do as they held the ball for the first 3 minutes of the quarter. Ally Jacobson scored and got fouled twice, converting the 3-point play once. Ishpeming could not claw their way back into the game, as they dropped their regular season finale to Negaunee 44-34.
The Hematites finish the regular season with a record of 16-4. They now head into the district tournament where they will take on the Munising Mustangs on Wednesday, March 1st. We will have all the action for you on 98.3 WRUP and WRUP.com.
LISTEN – FULL GAME – Ishpeming Hematites defeated by Negaunee Miners 44-34