BIG RAPIDS — In Division 2 Region 9 final action Thursday, the Houghton Gremlins girls basketball team advanced to the state quarterfinals with a 41-27 win over the Big Rapids Cardinals.

Houghton (21-5) trailed throughout the contest, but outscored the Cardinals 21-4 in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. They trailed after each of the first three quarters, 8-7. 17-13, and 23-20.

They were able to take advantage of the charity stripe in the final eight minutes to create the separation necessary to earn the win.

“I can tell you they shot 17 free throws in the fourth quarter and we shot two,” Big Rapids coach Jessica Haist told the Big Rapids Pioneer after the game. “Granted, there should have been some more calls earlier in the game. There was a lot of physicality. But at that point, they let it go.”