Story written by Bay College SID Mike Pankow. Click the thumbnails to see RRN videos and photos, and click the AUDIO buttons to hear post-game comments from Mohamed Madey and Coach Matt Johnson.
ESCANABA---The Bay College Men's Basketball Team (14-4, 3-1 MCCAA) led for most of the game on Wednesday evening, but weren't able to pull away until the second half as they took down the Lumberjacks of Alpena Community College (1-13, 0-4 MCCAA) by a final score of 83-69.
The two teams were in a tight battle in the early going, but it looked like the Norse had finally taken control late in the first half. A 12-1 run put Bay up 37-23 with just over four minutes to play in the half. The Norse misfired on their last few possessions of the half however and the Lumberjacks found success from the free throw line. The teams went into the locker with Bay holding a 40-35 lead.
The Norse managed to keep it a multi-possession game in the second half and gradually built a lead, stretching it to as many as 23 points midway through the second half. While the two teams were evenly matched statistically in the first half, Bay shot the ball well in the second half, hitting 58.1% of their shots while Alpena fell off shooting-wise, converting just 34.3%. It resulted in the Norse taking a 14-point victory at home.
Bay was led by Taveon Vann (SO, Milwaukee, WI) who had 22 points on 11 of 14 shooting. He also grabbed 11 rebounds. Mohamed Madey (FR, Faribault, MN) finished with 15 points, while William Kelley (SO, Florence, WI) ended with 12 points and three assists. Emerson Droubie (FR, Cambridge, MN) had ten points.
Alpena was led by Gary Reed (FR, Detroit, MI) who had 17 points, including three of four from three-point. Oliver Duthler (FR, Alpena, MI) had 15 points, while Derian Williams (SO, New Haven, MI) add 14 points. Kobe Johnson (FR, Richton Park, IL) ended with 11 points and four assists.
The Norse will host Delta College (4-11, 1-3 MCCAA) on Saturday. Delta is coming off of a 98-91 loss to the #19 ranked Mid Michigan College Lakers. Saturday's game is scheduled for a 3 pm start.
