L’ANSE — The Ontonagon Gladiators survived a hot shooting night from the L’Anse Purple Hornets to record a 56-51 nonconference win Tuesday in L’Anse. 

Ontonagon had 17 points from James Domitrovich and 14 from Ed Polakowski to lead the way. Tanner Balcomb added 12. 

Domitrovich, Henry Menigoz and Brendan Buzzo went a combined 5 of 6 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. 

The game was tied at 40 heading into the fourth quarter before the Gladiators outscored L’Anse.

“We just need to learn to close games out,” L’Anse coach Kyle Koski said. “With a young team, that is a tough task. We turned it over on our last three possessions.

“Until we find out who the clear leader on the team is going to be, we will continue to struggle in close games.”

L’Anse’s Alex Kissel led the team with 15 points on five 3s. He made four 3s in the second quarter to cut Ontonagon’s halftime lead to 28-24. 

“We played with a lot of energy between the second and fourth quarters,” Koski said. “We boxed out well and kept knocking down big shots. By far the best game (shooting) for the season.”

L’Anse finished 11 of 15 from 3-point range for the game. Reese Waara scored three 3s while Alec Sanregret added three more. 

Next, L’Anse (4-13) heads to Jeffers on Friday. Ontonagon (7-10) travels to Bessemer on the same day.

– – – 

Ontonagon 20 8 12 16 — 56

L’Anse 8 16 16 11 — 51

Ontonagon — Polakowski 14, Domitrovich 17, Buzzo 6, Menigoz 7, Balcomb 12. F: 12; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 7-8; 3-point field goals: Domitrovich 3, Menigoz, Buzzo.

L’Anse — Rajala 10, Jacobson 1, Waara 12, Sanregret 11, Kissel 15, Niemi 2. F: 11; Fouled out: None; Free throws: 4-6; 3-point field goals: Kissel 5, Sanregret 3, Waara 3.