Houghton's Kate Filpus fights for a rebound against Westwood's Makenna Olson (12) and Morgan Schneider (4) during a game Thursday at the Houghton High School gym. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — It wasn’t pretty, but the Houghton Gremlins girls basketball team came away with a 56-43 win over the visiting Westwood Patriots Thursday at the Houghton Gym.

Gremlins coach Julie Filpus does not like slow starts on the court. The Gremlins got off to a slow start against the Patriots, which put Houghton down by six (15-9) after the first quarter, and five at the half (26-21).

“I wish we could have come out stronger,” said the coach. “Westwood hit some shots, and we didn’t.”

However, a halftime pep talk seemed to make a big difference. The Gremlins came out with a renewed energy in the third and outscored the Patriots 21-7.

“I told the girls (at half) that we need to do better, and they knew that,” Filpus added. “They responded by girls stepping up and busting their tails with some pressure defense to break even and then get ahead.”

The third was Houghton’s best as they came away with a nine-point advantage at 42-33 with eight minutes to go.

In the fourth, speed and hustle were the name of the game for the Gremlins. Those two forces created turnovers, and led to some easy baskets off transition for Houghton. Westwood could never catch up.

“That is where our talent lies,” Filpus stated. “We do not have height, but we are quick. That is what we rely on.”

The Gremlins controlled the pace and outscored their opponents, 14-10, in the final quarter to close out the win.

“Game ball goes to Romi Mattson. Defensively she has been doing a great job and scored 13 points,” said Filpus.

Ellie Hainault led the scoring for the Gremlins with 18.

For the Patriots, Kaylin Doney was the top scorer with 10.

Up next

The Gremlins will travel to Hancock on Monday to face the Bulldogs. Tip off is set for 7:15 p.m.