Barnes, Willette Lead Norse To 92-86 Overtime Win

ESCANABA---Overtime has not been a friend to the Bay College Norse men's basketball team this season. But on Saturday, the Norse came through in the clutch to beat the Uw-Fox Valley Cyclones, 92-86, at the YMCA Gymnasium in Escanaba.

The Norse had lost their previous three overtime games this season, but this time, Bay made the plays, especially on the defensive end, to earn their 17th victory.

Bay's 6-10 center, Kobi Barnes, was dominant inside, scoring 34 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

And Tyler Willette, who missed Friday night's game against Silver Lake with a tailbone injury, played in pain Saturday to post nine points and grab nine boards.

The Norse withstood a barrage of three-pointers from the Cyclone team, as the visitors made 17 triples in a game that was close from start to finish.

Josh Gurholt hit four three's in the first half for the Cyclones as they jumped to a 21-11 lead. But the Norse rallied in the middle part of the half as Barnes, Damian Richmond, and Willette all scored "and-ones".

Garrett Finkbeiner nailed a triple during the rally to tie the game at 29, and Alfonzo Fields had a big steal that led to a Dre Tuominen hoop.

Marcus McKenney swished a pair of triples in the first half as well, but Fox Valley's Indy Johal sank two three's and the Norse lead was just 40-37 at the half.

The game was close all the way through the second half, and the Norse kept pounding it inside. Barnes got a basket and foul shot with 1:04 left to tie the game at 76, then Fields had another steal and was fouled as he drove to the hoop. He made both foul shots, giving the Norse a 78-76 lead, but Jose Zielinski tied it for Fox Valley.

Bay had a chance to win in regulation, but Tuominen missed the jump shot.

In overtime, the Norse trailed, 82-80, before Finkbeiner nailed his third triple of the game. Moments later, Fields scored a layup to make it 87-84, and after a miss at the other end, McKenney found Willette with the long pass to make it 89-84.

Besides Barnes' 34 points, Tuominen added 14 points and five rebounds. Fields had ten points and eight rebounds. McKenney added seven points and six assists.

Gurholt had 19 points and Johal added 16 for Fox Valley (9-12 overall).

Bay College improved to 17-8 on the season, and the Norse will be on the road for three games in the next week with the goal of cracking the 20-win mark in their first season.

The Norse face the Lake Superior State University Junior Lakers Monday night in Sault Ste. Marie. Game time is 7:00. It will be broadcast on WMXG-FM (Maverick 106.3).

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and video highlights, and hear post-game interviews with Barnes, Willette, and Norse Coach Matt Johnson.