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SAGINAW---The Bay College Norse men's basketball team had to work hard on Sunday to get past the Kirtland Community College Firebirds, 87-83, on a neutral court at Delta College in Saginaw. The game was played there because of two weather-related postponements last week that prevented the teams from meeting in Escanaba.
The Norse avenged an earlier loss to Kirtland, and solidified their second-place position in the MCCAA North conference standings. Bay will close the regular season on Tuesday against conference champion Mid Michigan in Mt. Pleasant.
The game was tight all the way, with Kirtland regularly attacking the baseline, and Bay knocking down three-point jumpers. Sophomore William Kelley scored ten early points for the Norse, helping Bay to take a 19-16 lead midway through the first half.
Kirtland's Elijah Clifford was on fire throughout the first half, scoring six times in the paint for twelve points. His work was countered by Bay freshman Emerson Droubie, who followed up Saturday's big game by knocking down five triples in the first half.
Bay held a thin 39-37 lead at halftime.
Kirtland opened the second half on a 12-2 run to take a 49-41 lead, but Droubie scored seven straight points to bring the Norse back. Kirtland led, 69-67, after the final media time out, but Kyle Hustrulid scored inside to tie the game again.
After that, Savion Johnson went to work. The center from Milwaukee scored twelve points in the second half, including baskets that put the Norse ahead, 71-70, tied the game at 75-75, and 83-80. His basket that made it 83-80 came with 24.7 seconds to play came on the heels of a Hustrulid basket that erased an 80-79 Firebird lead.
Trey Frye III sealed the game at the free throw line, and the Norse improved to 21-6 on the season (10-3 in MCCAA play). Droubie led the way with 24 points, making six of his 14 three-point attempts. Kelley followed with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor. And Johnson had 16 points and eight rebounds in the paint.
Kirtland (7-18 overall, 6-7 MCAA) was led by Clifford's 22 points. Jayvion Sims chipped in 17 points, Dominique Ramsey added 15, and Derrick Coackley had eleven points, including 3-of-3 on triples.
Bay College will face Mid Michigan on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30. It will be broadcast live on FM-106.3.
