Houghton’s Paige Sleeman, left, dribbles while being defended by Hancock's Kalli Chynoweth on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Houghton, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Despite a strong third quarter in which they took a brief come-from-behind lead, the Houghton Gremlins girls’ basketball team was unable to keep the energy going on Monday as they fell 56-50 to the Hancock Bulldogs at the Houghton gym.

The Bulldogs pulled into the half with a 31-21 lead and a lot of momentum. Their first two quarters were characterized by strong shooting and plenty of points in the paint and off the glass. On the other side of the court, the Gremlins struggled with poor passing which resulted in turnovers. 

The Bulldogs turned a 16-8 lead after the first into a 26-8 lead less than three minutes into the second. They had the hot hand headed into the third.

However the Gremlins were not finished.

“We’ve been in this position before, down by double digits at half,” said Houghton head coach Julie Filpus. “And we are capable of mounting a comeback. I told them to just stick with our game plan at halftime.”

Houghton’s Paige Sleeman hit a three-pointer a few minutes into the third to trim the Bulldogs’ lead to five at 36-31. The Gremlins then scored six quick ones  including a three-point play by Maryellen Trewhella to take a 37-36 lead.

“That was huge, but we couldn’t keep it going,” Filpus said. “It was like we got to the top, and then we exhaled. Before we knew it, they were up by nine again and the game got out of reach.”

The Gremlins had three girls in double figures. Stella Wickstrom led with 16 points. Sleeman had 15 and Trewhella had 13.

Hancock head coach Ward Helakoski was pleased with the win.

“It is a rivalry game, and  there are emotions and ebbs and flows of energy,” he said. “We had a lot of momentum in the first half and then got slow in the third, but were able to come back. Any time you can win a rivalry game in someone else’s  gym you’re thrilled.”

While Kaisa Salani led the scoring for the Bulldogs with 14 points and Sierrah Driscoll followed with 10, Helakoski said it certainly was a team win.

“Everyone had a part,” he said. “Everyone did a great job. Houghton is a good team.”

HCHS 16 15 7 18 — 56

HHS 8 13 16 13 — 50