Bay College freshman Makenna Hendrickson (middle) attempts to get to the basket during a game against Muskegon Community College on Jan. 18, 2025 at Bay College. (“The Big Dog” Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

WELLS – The Bay College Norse (9-8, 2-1 MCCAA) saw a last second bid to tie the game miss the mark on Saturday and dropped a decision to the Muskegon Community College Jayhawks (13-3, 3-0 MCCAA) 77-74.

Bay’s offense looked sluggish in the opening quarter. The Norse connected on just three of 18 shot attempts in that time period, allowing the Jayhawks to quickly build a double-digit lead. Muskegon grabbed a 13-point lead with a minute left in the first and led 21-11 heading into the second quarter.

The Norse turned the tide soon after. Mckenzie Hoffmeyer buried a 3-pointer that pulled her team to within seven and sparked Bay’s offense. The home team slowly cut the deficit and in the final minutes of the half, Anna Axtell hit from behind the arc on back-to-back possessions, first tying the game, then taking the lead for the Norse for the first time since the opening seconds. Bay went to the locker room leading by a score of 36-34.

Bay shot 52.6% from the floor in the second period, willing itself back into the game.

Bay led by as many as six in the third but were not able to open up a lead. The Jayhawks had answers for every Norse advance, and the two teams went into the final period tied at 53.

In the fourth it was Muskegon who took the lead but could not shake the Norse. The Jayhawks led by as many as six in the early going, but a Makenna Hendrickson layup tied the game at 67 midway through the quarter.

Muskegon got baskets on their next two possessions, but a layup by Axtell and a pair of free throws kept Bay in striking distance. The charity stripe proved to be a stumbling block for the home team down the stretch. They had multiple opportunities to tie or cut into the lead, but splitting pairs of free throws kept them from wrestling control back.

The Jayhawks had their opportunity to put the game away late, but they would also leave points at the free throw line. They held a 77-74 lead, but with 11 seconds left, it set Bay up with a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime.

A timeout moved the ball up court for the Norse and they ended up getting a good look out of the play. Kennedy Sproule, one of Bay’s top outside shooters, had a good look but was just off the mark. Axtell gathered the rebound but her put back was short, and the time ran out on Bay’s bid to stay undefeated in conference play.

The Norse shot just 28.6% in the fourth quarter. They also converted just eight of their 15 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.

Axtell led all scorers with 30 points, earning a double-double with 10 rebounds while adding three steals, two assists, and two blocked shots. Sproule finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, while Lauren Zawada had ten points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

The Jayhawks had two players finish with double-doubles. TyVeonna Davis had 29 points, 12 rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Anna Lundquist finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Arrionna Williams also had 18 points.

The Norse will be on the road for their next matchup as they go to Alpena on Wednesday evening. That game will tip at 5:30 pm. The Lumberjacks are 2-9 overall and 1-2 in conference play.