L’Anse’s Mylee Londo looks for an opening in the Jeffers’ defense during a game Monday at the Jeffers Gym. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

PAINESDALE — The L’Anse Purple Hornets girls basketball team earned their first win of the season with a 51-45 win over the Jeffers Jets on Monday. It was a close one won very much in the second half.

“We moved the ball much better this game than we have in the past,” said L’Anse coach Shelia Royal. “This allowed us to find easier scoring opportunities, and our defense adjusted as needed.”

While the Purple Hornets (1-3) won the first eight minutes, the Jets (1-2) led 22-20 at half.

“I was pleased with the way we moved the ball in the first half, and I told them we need to do the same in the second,” said Jets coach Chad Larson. “We did, but so did they, and a little bit better.”

As the third quarter got under way, the Purple Hornets tied it at 25, 27 and 33, but could not gain a lead until the fourth when they went up 44-37 and never looked back. That morphed into a 10-point gap at 51-41, and the eventual victory for the Purple Hornets.

Brooklyn Dompier had the hot hand for L’Anse. She led the scoring for the Purple Hornets with 26 points. Mylee Londo had 18.

“They are our captains and they played as such tonight,” added Royal. “They continue to show their leadership skills each game and a path to victory. Ella Kromer did well on defense as well containing their post player to just four points.”

Royal added that she liked not just the scoring prowess of Dompier, but the hustle she showed on the court as well.

“She gets the game ball for turning up the tempo in the second half,” stated Royal. “She capitalized on some great steals that led to quick scores for us.”

The Jets had just one scorer in double figures, and that was Taylor Heinonen with 26.

“We need to get better at blocking out and following through on our shots moving forward in practice,” concluded Larson.

UP NEXT

The Jets will welcome Lake Linden-Hubbell to Painesdale on Friday at 7:15 p.m. The Purple Hornets will host Crystal Falls that same night.