GWINN — After a rough first half that included a 15-point deficit just eight minutes in, the L’Anse Purple Hornets girls basketball team fell to the Gwinn Modeltowners, 75-39, despite a stronger second half.

Purple Hornets coach Scott Lloyd tried to switch things up as the game went on, but it was too little, too late for the young visitors.

“It went pretty (well) for Gwinn,” said Lloyd.“They shot lights out and defended very well. We (just) came out flat. We played a decent second half, but (in the) first half the damage was (already) done. They were way ahead at the end of the first half.”

“I think they made seven 3’s in the first half, they were long range three’s,” Lloyd said. “We switched to a 2-3 zone to try to prohibit those long three shots, (but) then they started shooting from the elbow extended. We went the entire second half in man, (and) they still outscored us, but only by six.”

Haley Nankervis  lead the Purple Hornets in scoring with eight points on the night.

“We played a decent second half, but they’re a quality team that defends and shoot extremely well,” Lloyd said. “They’re physical (and) quick and have five good ballhandlers on the floor at one time, there’s a reason why there 7-1 (this season).”

“We were in a 3-2 zone and started out up 5-0. They had missed the first five shots that they took (but) pretty soon their shots started to fall.” he said.

L’Anse  8 11 8  12 – 39

Gwinn  23 25 13  14 – 75