Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos, and to hear post-game comments from D'Marco Chelley, Josh Williams, and Coach Matt Johnson. Bay College SID Mike Pankow contributed to thie report.

ESCANABA---Paybacks.

The Bay College men's basketball team got revenge for an embarrassing road loss to the Mid Michigan College Lakers Tuesday night with a 91-78 win in Escanaba that snapped the tenth-ranked Lakrrs' 21-game winning streak.

The Norse defended their home court, where they have not lost a game all season, and it got some momentum as they head into the post-season tournaments.

“Mid Michigan is a heck of a team, and we did a great job tonight executing our game plan,” Norse Head Coach Matt Johnson said. “I'm as proud as I can be with these guys and what they did. It's the first time this year that I can honestly say that I felt like we were in control physically, and mentally. We dominated that second half because we came out and we kind of forced our issue. We knew we could do it. Hopefully, this springboards us into the tournament.”

Now, Tuesday night's result does not change the final MCCAA North standings, as the Lakers already won the conference title and earned top seed outright before they even drove to Escanaba. And the two-time defending conference champion Norse have to settle for runners-up this time and the second seed in the upcoming regional tournament.

Still, this win was satisfying for the Norse and will build confidence as the post-season begins next Tuesday night with a home game against Delta College.

Josh Williams, who has been in and out of the line-up recently because of illnesses and injuries, was a big factor in this game. Williams scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds, blocked two shots, and had two steals.

“Major win for us, I mean, huge win,” Williams said. “We had really good practices the last week. Sunday was one our best practices all year. We played as a team, and I think this is easily the best game we've played defensively all year."
 

"We really needed this for momentum, I've been in a slump the past couple of games. My teammates were finding me, and they've been motivating me lately. I've been working on certain things in practice and I think I carried them over to the game today.”
 

The Norse got plenty of contributions across the board, notably from D'Marco Chelley off the bench. The energetic Chelley has spent plenty of time in Johnson's doghouse this season, but not on this night, as Chelley showed what he could do with a stellar seven minutes of play where he scored eleven points, grabbed three rebounds, and had a steal and an assist.

“We don't mean no bad,” Chelley said with that usual grin. “Coach just wants the best out of all his players, and that's what he's gonna get. I'm in the gym every day and I've got to practice what I preach. You've gotta take the risks. You've gotta shoot!"

"We've gotta attack on the offensive boards and defense. I want to shout out my teammates, too. We did a helluva job being together tonight. It's our last regular season game, man. We had to go out with a bang so we can get to Danville (Illinois, for the national tournament).”

“How good was D'Marco tonight?” Johnson said. “Honest to God, I think he's the best athlete we've ever had in our program. That's saying something, because we've had some really, really good ones. D'Marco is a world class athlete, and he's a pretty stinking good basketball player on top of that, and he's a great kid. He's on my last nerve most of the time. But I love the kid. He was special tonight. He showed what he can be.”

Chelley wasn't the only one. Big Joe Ofori, who has had a frustrating sophomore season with injuries and inconsistent play, was his old self in this one. Ofori had 16 points to lead the Norse, and he added six rebounds.

The Norse led by as many as nine in the first half but the Lakers hung in there in what was a meaningless game for them in the standings.

Joe Iung finished a basket at the rim with just over six minutes left to play in the first half, and that gave Mid Michigan its first lead of the game.

Zavier Hayes buried a three-point attempt on the next possession for the Norse, reclaiming the lead, but after a KaiRee Gadson basket, the Lakers answered with a three and lay-up on consecutive possessions, giving them their second lead of the game.

Free throws put Bay back on top, but it was short-lived, as Amonti Greene converted on an "and one" play. Mid Michigan carried a 42-41 lead at halftime. After Mid Michigan made the first basket of the second half, Gadson erased that lead with a three-pointer.

Moments later, a technical foul put Nic Williams on the line, and he converted both free throws. Joe Ofori hit a jumper on the following possession, and Ryan Sweeney scored from beyond the three-point arc shortly after that. That 10-0 run gave the Norse a lead they would not relinquish.

Mid Michigan continued to fight, and a three from Jayden Hardiman drew the Lakers to within three points with just over ten minutes to play. That would be the last time it was a one-possession game. Bay quickly re-built a double-digit lead, putting the contest away late.

The Lakers were held to 20 points below their season average and shot just 39.0% for the game, including 29.0% from three-point, despite hoisting up 31 attempts from beyond the arc. They turned the ball over 17 times throughout the night, including key times down the stretch.

Bay shot 50.0% from the floor, even though they were just four of 13 from three-point.  They limited the turnovers to 12 for the matchup.

Bay had six players finish in double-digits in scoring altogether. Tre Sanigar had 13 points, four rebounds, three steals, and his first dunk of the season. Gadson finished with 12 points while Sweeney had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Mid Michigan (24-4 overall, 13-1 MCCAA, ranked No. 10 nationally) was led by James Wright with 21 points and ten rebounds. Greene hit on three triples and ended up with 20 points. Iung finished with 11 points and five rebounds, and Mario Johnson had ten rebounds off the bench for the Lakers.

Bay College (23-5 overall, 12-2 MCCAA, ranked No. 18 nationally) is the second seed from the MCCAA Northern Conference and will be a part of the Region 12 Great Lakes A Regional Tournament.

The Norse have earned the right to host the quarterfinal game to be played on March 4 in Escanaba against Delta College Pioneers, who the Norse beat twice in the regular season, 118-96 and 97-75. The game on Tuesday, March 4, will start at 7:30, and it will be broadcast live on FM-106.3 and on-line at www.baynorse.com.