Ishpeming, Michigan – March 2nd, 2016 – Mike Plourde and Bob Nadeau were in Ishpeming, MI for the Ishpeming Hematites game against the Negaunee Miners on 98.3 WRUP and WRUP.com. The Hematites looked to keep their season going strong, and Mike and Bob brought you their stats and predictions during the Honor Credit Union pregame show!
It was a rematch for the ages as the Ishpeming Hematite girls took on the Negaunee Miners for their first district playoff game of the post season. The Hematites faced Negaunee the previous week, where they lost, but Ishpeming was determined to not let happen again. Ishpeming had jumped out to an early lead, but as the midway point of the quarter passed, the score remained very close. The Miners soon took the lead, but Marissa Minot retook the lead for Ishpeming when she nailed a jump shot. Only leading by a single point, the Hematites sensed that they were in danger. Ishpeming committed several fouls throughout the first quarter, and that allowed Negaunee to keep the score neck-a-neck. It was still a one point game with :20 seconds left, and when the buzzer rang, Negaunee led 15-16 on 98.3 WRUP.
Both teams were giving it their all, and the Ishpeming Hematites trailed by a single point at the start of the second quarter. The Hematites found themselves in some deep trouble early in the quarter, when Marissa Minot got her third foul of the game. It was Ishpeming’s seventh foul as a team, but A. Johnson from the Miners had three fouls as well, which also gave Negaunee seven team fouls. Ishpeming took the lead on a layup midway through the quarter, but it was only by a single point. With three minutes left to play, the lead was traded back and forth multiple times, but Negaunee worked their way to a three point lead. The Hematite fought their way back, and by the time the first half ended, the score was tied.
First Half Score:
Ishpeming Hematites: 23
Negaunee Miners: 23
The action of the first half continued, as the Ishpeming Hematites got the ball to start the third quarter. The Miners jumped out to a five point lead over the Hematites, but Ishpeming didn’t let that get in their way. Both teams continued to have foul trouble, and each team was in danger of losing key players to fouls. Negaunee was leading 33-39 with just over one minute left in the third quarter, but the game was still within reach for the Hematite girls. At the end of the third quarter, the Miners continued to lead by a score of 33-39 on 98.3 WRUP.
Just after the start of the final quarter, the Ishpeming Hematites started their comeback when they decreased their deficit by scoring two consecutive jump shots. The Hematites had gone on a 8-0 scoring run at the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter, and that helped them stay in the race. Negaunee found themselves with only a four point lead with four minutes left in the game, and Ishpeming did everything they could to fight back. It was 42-46 with three minutes left, and it was becoming a game of inches for both teams. With just over one minute left in the game, Negaunee was put into the bonus from Ishpeming’s fouls, and that made a comeback for the Hematites even more difficult. Ishpeming soon reached the bonus as well, and that brought any advantage back to neutral. Despite both teams being in the bonus, and with under a minute left in the game, Negaunee secured the win with a nearly 10-point lead.
Final Game Score:
Ishpeming Hematites: 48
Negaunee Miners: 59
Join us 03/03/2016 as the Ishpeming Hematite boys battle the Norway Knights in Ishpeming, MI. Mike Plourde and Bob Nadeau will have the Honor Credit Union Pregame Show for you along with all the exciting action, only on 98.3 WRUP and WRUP.com! Don’t miss a beat!