Braves Outlast LaFave, Eskymos In Rivalry Battle

ESCANABA---Michelle LaFave scored 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, but the Gladstone Braves still posted a 67-59 win over LaFave and the Escanaba Eskymos Monday night at the Escanaba High School Gym.

Callie Jensen had 17 points and Jess Beaudry added 16 for the Braves.

This was a game of runs. Gladstone raced to a 23-14 lead in the second period after Alexis St. Cyr scored six straight points, four of them from the free throw line.

But by halftime, the Eskymos had closed to within 31-26, and in the third quarter, Escanaba got even closer.

When Sydney Gafner scored with 1:56 left in the third quarter, the Eskymos closed to withion 39-38. And Escanaba had two chances to take the lead, but could not get the big basket.

The Braves responded with six straight points to end the third quarter, as Jensen, Beaudry, and St. Cyr all scored to give Gladstone a 45-38 lead after three.

Jess Beaudry post-game comments

Gladstone completed a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter on a Tinner Sharon basket that gave the Braves a 49-38 lead. But the Eskymos came back again.

LaFave's basket plus foul shot closed the gap to 49-44, then Lynsey Collins scored to make it 49-46. LaFave scored again to complete a 10-0 run, bringing Escanaba to within 49-48. But just when it looked like Escanaba had the momentum, the Braves regained control rather quickly as Beaudry got an "old-fashioned" three -point play.

That made it 52-48.

After a defensive stop, Jensen scored to make it 54-48, and then moments later, Beaudry sank a pair of free throws.

Bridget Becker then scored on a short jumper after an Eskymo turnover, and Gladstone once again had an 11-point lead at 59-48.

But Escanaba rallied again, closing to within 63-59 on a three-pointer by Sydney Gafner with 27 seconds left in the game. Gladstone made four free throws in the closing seconds to end the game with a win, the second this season for the Braves over the Eskymos.

Besides LaFave's 30 points, Collins scored 12 for the Eskymos. Collins, LaFave, and Gafner all fouled out. Escanaba's record fell to 7-11 on the season.

For Gladstone, St. Cyr had 13 points, including making nine of ten free throws.

Gladstone (10-6) travels to Negaunee for a make-up game Wednesday night. The game will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at www.rrnsports.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos, taken by Nate Bellville. And to listen to radio replays.

Date	Time	Opponent	Score	Record

12/3	7:30 PM	Negaunee Miners	43 - 30 (W)	1-0

12/6	7:30 PM	at Gwinn Model Towners	56 - 41 (W)	2-0

12/10	7:30 PM	at Marquette Redmen	35 - 46 (L)	2-1

12/12	7:00 PM	Ishpeming Hematites	35 - 50 (L)	2-2

12/17	7:15 PM	Kingsford Flivvers	59 - 51 (W)	3-2

12/19	7:15 PM	Big Bay deNoc Black Bears	67 - 24 (W)	4-2

12/28	3:00 PM	at Houghton Gremlins	58 - 66 (L)	4-3

1/3	7:15 PM	Escanaba Eskymos	51 - 42 (W)	5-3

1/10	7:30 PM	Manistique Emeralds	72 - 25 (W)	6-3

1/14	7:15 PM	Marquette Redmen	37 - 52 (L)	6-4

1/21	7:30 PM	Menominee Maroons	43 - 50 (L)	6-5

1/23	7:30 PM	at Big Bay deNoc Black Bears	75 - 26 (W)	7-5

2/4	7:30 PM	at Ishpeming Hematites	36 - 51 (L)	7-6

2/6	7:30 PM	at Westwood Patriots	71 - 38 (W)	8-6

2/8	3:00 PM	at Menominee Maroons	45 - 37 (W)	9-6

2/10	7:30 PM	at Escanaba Eskymos	67 - 59 (W)	10-6

2/12	7:30 PM	at Negaunee Miners	51 - 22 (W)	11-6

2/15	3:00 PM	Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils	58 - 47 (W)	12-6

2/18	8:00 PM	at Kingsford Flivvers	49 - 39 (W)	13-6

2/22	2:00 PM	Iron Mountain Mountaineers	43 - 30 (W)	14-6

2/24	7:00 PM	at Kingsford Flivvers	53 - 43 (W)	15-6

2/26	7:00 PM	at Menominee Maroons	45 - 55 (L)	15-7