Click the thumbnails to see photos and video highlights, and to hear post-game interviews with McKenzie Hoffmeyer and Coach James Fassett. Also click the AUDIO button to hear Lauren Zawada's player spotlight interview. Bay College SID Mike Pankow contributed to this report.
PETOSKEY---The Bay College Norse women's basketball team jumped to a 36-9 lead after the first quarter and cruised past the North Central Michigan College Timberwolves, 95-35, Wednesday night in Petoskey. Lauren Zawada scored 21 points and McKenzie Hoffmeyer added 20 points as the Norse improved to 13-3 on the season (2-0 MCCAA North play).
Bay forced 14 turnovers in the opening period and shot 61.9% during that stretch, which included hitting on six of 11 three-point opportunities. The Timberwolves would only get eight shots off in the first ten minutes, while Bay had 21 attempts.
The Norse started the second quarter on an 8-0 run as they continued to build a lead. They would be up by a score of 51-20 at halftime. While the offense was not able to keep up the torrid pace of the opening frame, Bay continued to pressure their hosts into turnovers, keeping them from any attempts at a consistent offense. In the end the Norse would cruise to a 60-point win on the road.
Bay attempted 83 shots in the game and converted 42.2%. They also hit on 15 of 21 attempts from the free throw line. The Norse forced 47 Timberwolves turnovers, while turning it over themselves just 17 times. North Central Michigan shot the ball 42 times and converted 31.0% of those and were just eight of 15 from the free throw line.
Hoffmeyer put up an impressive stat line with 20 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and nine steals.
Nina Bower picked up 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Makenna Hendrickson ended with ten points, five assists, and six steals.
The Timberwolves were led by Evelyn VanTol who had nine points and eight rebounds. Cadence Cullen of St. Ignace, the twin sister of Bay's Addison Cullen, grabbed nine rebounds. Addison Cullen scored eight points for the Norse.
Bay is back on the road Saturday as they will be at Muskegon Community College (5-7, 1-1 MCCAA) for a 1 pm game
