Houghton's Mia Lawson sinks a free throw during a game against Gladstone Friday at the Houghton High School gym. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — While the Houghton Gremlins girls basketball team led by a comfortable eight points against the Gladstone Braves as the fourth quarter began, they had to fight to earn a four-point victory, 63-59, Friday at home.

“We were tough,” said Gremlins coach Julie Filpus. “We were resilient to their runs there at the end, and we executed some big shots when we needed it.”

The Braves only lead in this one was in the opening minutes of the first. They posted a 4-2 lead before the Gremlins posted a 12-8 advantage after one.

That morphed into an eight-point lead at half thanks to good ball work as a team. They were patient with their shots and were up 30-22 at the midway point.

“I told the girls at half that we needed to make some defensive adjustments at half, and to keep playing hard,” Filpus said.

They did just that in the third and maintained a lead as both teams scored 17. While the Braves got within two at 58-56, and won the fourth outscoring the Gremlins, 20-16, it was not enough to catch them. The Gremlins stayed the course and won by four.

“Ellie Hainault gets the game ball,” said Filpus. “She played a heck of a game with lots of rebounds and assists.”

Hainault led the scoring with 18. Kate Filpus followed with 17, and Mia Lawson sunk 15.

Lillie Johnson led for Gladstone with an impressive 47 points.