Kingsford, MI- December 4th, 2017- The Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team (1-0) their second win over the Kingsford Flivvers 57-52 Monday night on 98.3 WRUP. Coming into the game the Hematites played one game, and got a 78-40 victory over the Bark River Broncos last Tuesday. Ishpeming were looking to get off to a 2-0 start but new it would not be easy against a tough Flivvers team who was coming in with two wins already under their belt.
This game started the way most people would have thought, a very physical, back and forth game. Ishpeming coach Ryan Reichel said before the game the biggest thing he wanted to see from his team was a quick start. He told his team that it would be a long night if they fell behind against a tough Kingsford team. Well the Hematites answered the call in the first quarter, taking a 15-10 lead. The Flivvers started off the next frame with a 7-1 run, giving them their first lead of the game. It was once again, a tough battle, with neither team getting a large lead. Both teams shot just above 30% in the first half. The biggest difference was free throws, Ishpeming only shot 5 for 11 from the line giving Kingsford a 25-24 lead at the half.
Offense was the name of the game in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The Flivvers got four quick points but Ishpeming would answer right back with an 11-0 run when Kingsford took a timeout to slow things down. The Hematites would outscore the Flivvers 20-12 in the third quarter and take a 44-37 lead heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter was a tight on where Kingsford would outscore the Hematites but a big second half from Mariah Austin (17 points in the half) would give Ishpeming the chance to hang on to the win. Final score 57-52.
Tomorrow night the Ishpeming Hematites boys basketball takes on the Gladstone Braves to start their season. Game is at 7:15 PM, coverage will begin just after 6:45. You can hear it all on 98.3 WRUP or online at wrup.com/stream.
LISTEN LIVE – ISHPEMING HEMATITES DEFEAT KINGSFORD FLIVVERS 57-52.mp3