Houghton’s Maryellen Trewhella, left, shoots against Escanaba on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Houghton, Mich. (David Arcahmbeau/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Few victories will taste as sweet — or few as bitter — as what the Escanaba Eskymos and Houghton Gremlins bit into Wednesday night in girls basketball Division II district tourney play.

In the end, the Eskymoes eked a 58-57 win in overtime that advances them to the finals later this week.

Gremlins head coach Julie Filpus said the defeat was a tough one, but expressed satisfaction with her team.

“It could have gone differently, there were so many big plays by both teams,” Filpus said. “But we’re so proud of our kids in many ways. One for the way they played tonight and also for the preparation we had all week.”

In the end, it was close-in basket by Bailey Barron in the final minute of overtime that provided the margin of victory for the Eskymos.

Escanaba coach Mike Beveride said the game could swung either way.

“It was just a fantastic game …. someone had to win and someone had to lose,” Beveridge said afterward. “It was just a great team win for us, everyone contributed.”

Houghton did a fine defensive job on Escanaba’s Nicole Kamin, who scored 31 points in an earlier game between the two teams.

“We were able to stay in front of her (Kamin),” Filpus said. “She’s a dangerous player on both ends of the court and we did a good job on her.”

After the two teams ended regulation in a 52-52 deadlock. the locals appeared to have an edge when junior Maryellen Trewhella got loose for a three-point play for a 55-52 Gremlins lead.

But the Eskymos battled back with Kamin making some big plays on defense and Taylor Ray sinking two big free throws.

That set up the final hectic 30 seconds when the Gremlins misfired twice on big possessions.

The two rivals battled on even terms after Esky grabbed a 13-7 first quarter lead.

Megan Bugni and Trewhella keyed Houghton in the second period and the teams ended up in a 27-27 tie at the half.

Freshman Stella Wickstrom, who led all rebounders with 18 boards, was also a big factor for the Gremlins.

It remained that way in the third frame until Houghton surged for a 44-39 margin at quarter’s end.

Trewhella had eight points in the quarter to spark the run.

That set the stage for the final eight minutes when six points by Ray and a triple by Kamin keyed a 13-8 edge.

Trewhella led the Gremlins, who close with a 6-15 mark, with 21 points, 8 rebounds and five assists. Josie Connors was next with 13 points and Bugni put in 12 more. Both are seniors.

“I was happy our seniors had good games,” Filpus said. “They carried us tonight.”

Ray totaled 18 points for the 13-8 winners, while Kamin put in 17 points, despite having an off night. Maddy Monkevich laced 13 more.

“Nicole didn’t have her best night, but the other kids picked her up,” Beveridge said. “(Taylor) Ray had a real good game and Maddy Monkevich also made big plays.”

With several starters coming back next season, Filpus is anxious to start again.

“We made some big strides this year,” Filpus said. “But were going to be a year older next season.”

Escanaba 13 14 12 13 8 — 58

Houghton 7 20 17 8 7 — 57

ESCANABA (58): Ray 18. Barron 5, Kamin 17, Monkevich 13, Lancour 2, Bink 3. FT: 11-16; Rebounds: 26 (Kamin 11). Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Ray 1, Kamin 1, Mobkevich 1.

HOUGHTON (57): Bugni 12, Trewhella 21, Wickstrom 4, Connors 13, Peterson 5, DeForge 2. FT: 3-6. Rebounds: 33 (Wickstrom 18). Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Connors 3, Peterson 1, Trewhella 1.