Ishpeming, MI – February 11th, 2019 – After more scheduling irregularities, the Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team took on the L’Anse Purple Hornets. Sitting in on the game was the duo of Tyler Young and Bob Nadeau, broadcasting live on 98.3 WRUP and online at WRUP.com!
The L’Anse Purple Hornets were a tough team, and the Ishpeming Hematites had a long battle ahead of them as the opening toss went up. L’Anse got onto the scoreboard first, but Ishpeming tied the game at 2-2 not long after. The Hematites moved in front of the Purple Hornets, and led 8-6 after some excellent shooting. Fouls started to hurt the Hematites, and the game was tied at 8-8 after L’Anse made several consecutive free throws. L’Anse took an 11-8 lead with just a few minutes let in the quarter, and the Hematites had to kick it into overdrive.
First Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 8
L’Anse Purple Hornets: 14
Trailing by two scores going into the second, the Ishpeming Hematites were trying their best to not fall behind the Purple Hornets. Baskets were falling left and right for L’Anse as Ishpeming scrambled to find any offense. Soon, it was 20-10 for the Hornets, but the Hematites scored back to back baskets to narrow that gap. 22-15 was the score after to nice free throws from Madison Pruett, but L’Anse answered back immediately with a quick two of their own. After the second quarter fell under one minute to play, the Purple Hornets managed to stay in front of the Hematites but not by much.
First Half Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 21
L’Anse Purple Hornets: 30
The second half started off in a rough way for the Ishpeming Hematites, as they allowed the Purple Hornets to extend their lead even further. Soon, they trailed by ten points, with a score of 36-26, and the game looked to be nearly out of their reach. The Ishpeming Hematites were still having problems giving L’Anse free throws, and that put them in even more danger as the bonus approached. The Hematites clawed-back somewhat and closed their deficit to six points, but time was running out. Amazingly, the Hematites fought their way back and tied the score at 41-41. It was 43-41 with one minute left in the third quarter, and it looked as though everything would be settled in the final quarter of play.
Third Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 41
L’Anse Purple Hornets: 43
Action at the start of the final quarter was fast and hectic. The Ishpeming Hematites stayed with the Purple Hornets, with a score of 47-45 a minute and a half into the final quarter. Whistles were constantly interrupting the play, and L’Anse was in the double bonus with just over four minutes left in the game thanks to Ishpeming’s fouls. The Purple Hornets had a six point lead as the game moved into the last half of the final quarter. After a few interesting stoppages, the Hematites were still behind the Purple Hornets. With only one minute left in the game, Ishpeming only trailed by four points. Madison Pruett once again came up big and tied the game at 57 with seconds left.
Fourth Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 57
L’Anse Purple Hornets: 57
Madisyn Mead took the opening tip for the Ishpeming Hematites, but there was no scoring for the first minute of overtime. Mead made it 61-59 thanks to back to back free throws, and it was Ishpeming’s first lead since the first quarter. Ishpeming held their lead at 64-61 with 1:30 left in overtime, but L’Anse drained a two-pointer to bring them within one basket. With :30 seconds left, Ishpeming held a narrow lead, and both teams were putting up frantic shots in an attempt to score anything.
Final Game Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 70
L’Anse Purple Hornets: 65
Listen LIVE – The Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team faces a tough L’Anse Purple Hornets team on Monday night on 98.3 WRUP.mp3