Hancock stayed one step ahead of their crosstown rivals and earned a 60-45 win on Monday night.

“Tonight we were able to get some easy layups in the second half of the game and that made the difference,” said Hancock head coach Dan Pertile. “We were fortunate that they missed some easy shots and we were able to get some baskets inside.”

It was Houghton (6-14) who jumped on the boards first with a three-pointer from Kaisa Salani off the tip-off. They pushed the score to 9-7 before a Hancock jumper tied it. Hancock (9-9) then took over commanding a several-point lead for the remainder of the game. After the first quarter, the Bulldogs led 15-12.

With two quick buckets in the paint and off the glass, the Bulldogs made it 19-12. Houghton battled back twice to make it a one-point game to close out the first half.

Houghton's Stella Wickstrom, center, tries to pass while being defended by Hancock's Isabella Hebert, left, and Jordan Pertile on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

While the Gremlins came out into the third quarter with a renewed vigor, they still played catch up to the Bulldogs much tot the frustration of their head coach Julie Filpus. The Gremlins had plenty of chances to surpass their rivals but just could not put two baskets together.

“I liked how we played in the second half but what ultimately cost us were turnovers and just missing layups,” Filpus said.

The closest the Gremlins came was at 37-36 with three minutes remaining in the third. However, that didn’t last long. The Bulldogs went on an 7-0 run and made the score 44-36.

Scoring leaders for the Bulldogs were seniors D’Andra Kero and Taylor Sebbas. Kero had 16 points and Sebbas poured in 12.

“I said before the game that we will need our seniors to come through tonight and they did,” Pertile said.

Houghton's Maryellen Trewhella (25) shoots in front of Hancock's Taylor Sebbas (12) and D'Andra Kero (22) on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Maryellen Trewhella led the Gremlins with nine points, while Paige DeForge had eight.

“I thought Maryellen had an excellent night carrying the ball down the court for us,” Filpus said. “She hit some big shots for us on offense and worked hard on defense.”

In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs outscored the Gremlins 14-5 to secure the win.

This was the last regular season game for the Gremlins. They will face Escanaba next week in district play. Meanwhile the Bulldogs will take on the Ontonagon Gladiators later this week to round out their regular season.

Houghton 12 16 12 5 — 45

Hancock's Payton Dube (14) gets a rebound next to Houghton's Gwen Markham (35) on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Hancock 15 14 17 15 — 60

Hancock's Kaisa Salani (23) shoots a free throw against Houghton on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Hancock's Payton Dube (14) tries to get a rebound in front of Houghton's Stella Wickstrom (31) on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Hancock's Taylor Sebbas (12) shoots while being defended by Houghton's Stella Wickstrom (31) on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Hancock's Sierrah Driscoll (24) and Houghton's Molly Bugni (21) battle for a loose ball on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton's Paige DeForge (33) dribbles against Hancock on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Houghton girls basketball head coach Julie Filpus instructs her team during a game against Hancock on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Hancock, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)