The Bay Norse Women's basketball team (1-1) met up with the NJCAA Division 2 #10 ranked North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Trojans (2-0) on Saturday evening.  The Trojans would stay undefeated, winning the matchup by a final score of 109-74.
 

The Norse gave the hosts of the Konigsmark Klassic Tournament a scare early on.

Bay was able to match the abnormally fast pace of the Trojans, and would hold the lead for most of the first quarter.  Both teams employed a full court press throughout the contact, while offensively the teams looked to push the pace and create as many offensive possessions as possible.

The result was a fast-paced, intense, and entertaining battle.  The visitors would stretch their lead to as much as eight in the early going, shooting the ball extremely well in the first half.  The Norse would knock down 44.4% of their attempts before intermission, but would surrender their lead for good late in the first quarter.

Turnovers would be the key difference throughout the matchup, as NIACC would create 26 of them in the first half, while only committing nine of their own over the same time period.  Those numbers would create a big advantage for the Trojans, as they would end up with 43 attempts from the field in the first half, while Bay would only get 27 looks at the basket.

NIACC would pull away in the second quarter, taking a 51-32 lead at the break.

The high tempo play would continue during the second half, and the Trojans would benefit from the same advantages that allowed them to take control in the first half.  NIACC would outscore the Norse by 20 in the third quarter, effectively deciding the game early.  Bay would trail by as many as 44 points in the fourth quarter.  Despite losing in the turnover battle throughout, the Norse would improve their ball control in the second half, and would outrebound their opponents 55-47 in the contest. 

Despite the lopsided score, Head Coach Rob Robinson liked what he saw from his team. 

"Our team did a great job today!  Playing a school like NIACC lets us know how hard we have to work to be a top ten team.  Our players accepted the challenge and want to do whatever it takes to make it there.  We made great strides this weekend and I am super proud of our players.  We are looking forward to getting Brooke [Dalgord] and JuliAnn [Wickman] back going into next weekend."

Jordan Kraemer (SO, Norway, MI) would lead the scoring effort for the Norse, collecting 20 points and 13 rebounds.  Taylor Hunter (FR, Gladstone, MI) added 16 points and six rebounds, while Kelsea Ackerman (FR, Munising, MI) would add 13 points.

NIACC's Mandy Willems (FR, Ackley, IA) would have a fantastic night shooting for the Trojans.  Showing off her range she would hit several shots from well behind the three-point arc, going ten of 22 from deep and ending the game with 45 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.  Jada Buford (FR, Brooklyn Park, MN) would end the game with 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists.  Autam Mendez (FR, St. Paul, MN) added 19 points and seven rebounds. 

The Norse are back in action next weekend when they travel to Minneapolis, MN and the campus of Dakota County Technical College.

On Friday, November 9 Bay will match up with United Tribes Technical College at 5 pm.  On Saturday they will matchup with Bismark State College at noon.

The Bay Norse Men's Basketball team (0-2) would fall to the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Trojans (1-1) on the second day of the Konigsmark Klassic by a final score of 97-77 on Saturday evening.
 

The Trojans would lead throughout the matchup and stretch out an early lead.  NIACC would create an advantage by rebounding the ball well on the offensive end, creating second chance opportunities for themselves. 

The host team would lead by as many as 21 points midway through the first half, and looked to be well in control of the matchup early.  Bay College would show some fight, and a late run in the opening period would cut the lead to ten.  The Norse would feel as though they had the momentum in their favor, as they went to the locker room trailing by a score of 49-39.
 

NIACC would take that momentum back coming out of the break, extending another and retaking control of the matchup.  Ball control statistics would haunt the Norse throughout the matchup as the Trojans would reel in 19 offensive rebounds in the matchup and create 33 Bay College turnovers.

Despite the visitors shooting a better percentage for the game, NIACC would overwhelm Bay College with 82 field goal attempts, while the Norse would shoot 57 times.  The Norse would show their character late, cutting into a 30+ point lead with a late run, but would eventually fall by a 20-point defecit.
 

The Norse would shoot 47.4% from the field, including 11 of 21 from behind the three-point arc.  Free throws would continue to be a problem in this matchup as Bay would convert just 12 of their 26 attempts from the line. 
 

"Obviously the results this weekend were not what we had hoped for," said Head Coach Matt Johnson, "but I think we will be better because of it.  We realized quickly what it takes intensity and discipline-wise to play at this level."

"We did some things really well tonight, improved from last night, and had some guys step up and give us some great minutes.  However, you can't turn the ball over 33 times, give up 19 offensive boards, and shoot 46% from the free throw line and expect to get a win.  We have four days to get to work this week and correct those things, I think these guys will respond well.  I will be looking for much improved results next weekend in Minnesota."
 

Logan Hardwick (FR, Rapid River, MI) would come off the bench and lead all scorers with 18 points.  Kobi Lumsden-Barnes (SO, Milwaukee, WI) ended up with 15 points and five rebounds, while Reggie Dean (FR, Milwaukee, WI) would add 14 points and six rebounds. 
 

The Trojans' James Harris (FR, Naples, FL) would lead all scorers with 21 points.  Orrington Hamilton (SO, Naples, FL) and Deundra Roberson (FR, Columbia Heights, MN) would add 14 points, while Chandler Dean (FR, South Jordan, UT) would contribute 11 points.  Wendell Matthews (FR, St. Paul, MN) ended the game with a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
 

The Norse return to action next weekend in Minneapolis, MN. 

On Friday, November 9 they will face off with United Tribes Technical College at 7 pm.  On Saturday the Norse matchup with Bismark State College at 2 pm.  Both games will be hosted by Dakota County Technical College.