Bay College freshman Kadie Kaukola (2) attempts a shot in the paint during a game against Kirtland Community College on Jan. 20, 2025 at Bay College. ("The Big Dog" Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Entering Saturday’s showdown against Bay College, No. 6 Mid-Michigan Community College womens’ basketball had scored at least 90 points in its last seven games.

That streak came to a screeching halt with the Norse coming into town. And despite a furious defensive effort, the Lakers proved to be too much in a 68-61 win.

“It was a hard fought and physical contest,” Bay College Head Coach James Fassett said. “It was what we hoped for, we fought and gave ourselves a chance to win the game. But in the end, the shots that were needed, the rebounds that were needed, it was Mid Michigan who made those plays that were needed to win the game.”

Mid Michigan (19-2, 7-0 MCCAA) came into the game averaging 96.6 points per game but found it tough to put the ball in the hoop in the early going. Multiple blocked shots by Bay defenders proved that the Lakers were in for a battle. Though Mid led through most of the opening frame, the Norse got a layup from Mckenzie Hoffmeyer with under a minute left. That was followed by a steal and a basket by Kyra Anders, giving Bay an 18-15 lead after ten minutes of play.

The Norse (12-9, 5-2 MCCAA) gave that lead right back to start the second quarter as they would turn the ball over four times in the opening possessions of the frame. The two teams went on to trade three-pointers through the first half of the period. After a Kennedy Sproule hit from downtown to reclaim the lead, the Lakers responded with a triple on the next possession. Anna Axtell got a steal on the next possession and basket to tie the game at 26. A Kadie Kaukola conversion at the rim gave Bay the lead, and they would hold it for the remainder of the half. The Norse led 35-32 at intermission.

The third quarter continued to be a problem for Bay as the offense went cold. After the Norse took a five-point lead, Mid Michigan would go on a run. The Lakers poured in eight points before Bay was able to answer. Sproule’s three-point shot tied the score at 42, but unfortunately for the Norse it was not the spark to restart the offense. They would get just one more point in the frame, the front end of a pair of free throws, and Mid Michigan capped off a 14-4 rum to take a 48-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Delaney Seaman started to get hot in the final period, and she hit a three of her own to extend the Laker lead to eight. Sproule responded with a shot from behind the arc on the next possession, and this time the Norse offense finally kicked back into gear.

Bay fought back and finally tied the score midway through the quarter. The Norse got a long two from Hoffmeyer to tie the game at 57. Mid responded and got a stop. On the ensuing possession, with the Lakers leading by two, a foul would send the home team to the free throw line. They would get the first one to go but missed the second one. The Norse failed to capitalize on the miss, allowing the Lakers to get the offensive rebound. The Lakers made them pay and hit a three, completing a four-point possession and claiming a 63-57 lead with just under three minutes to play.

With time winding down Bay looked to cut into that deficit. Sproule ended up with a steal and forwarded the ball up to Axtell who laid it in, cutting the lead to just two. It looked as though the Norse were on their way to a big stop on the defensive end. With the shot clock winding down the Lakers were forced to fire up a long three from the left wing, but luck was not with the road team as the shot banked in, making it a five-point game.

Bay was not able to convert in the last seconds of the game and Mid Michigan got a pair of free throws to seal the big win on their home court.

The win puts the Lakers in control of the MCCAA Northern Conference standings. With most teams completing the first round of conference play on Saturday, Mid Michigan stands alone at the top with a 7-0 record having faced everyone in the conference once. Bay now trails by two games in the standings at 5-2 and will need help if they are to get a chance to compete for the conference championship. Muskegon Community College posted a win on Saturday at home, running away with an 80-37 win over Kirtland Community College. Muskegon has yet to face Montcalm Community College as their January 22 matchup was postponed due to weather. They stand at 5-1 in conference play.

The Norse will travel to North Central Michigan College on Wednesday. Bay won that first matchup 112-59 in Escanaba back on January 15. The Timberwolves are 2-5 in conference play after a 75-64 victory over Montcalm on Saturday. That game is scheduled to tip at 5:30 pm.