Hancock's Alecia Aho (center) battles for position against Houghton's Karly Matson (12) and Tessa Routiola (4) during a game Monday at the Hancock High School gym. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HANCOCK — It was a rivalry match up on the basketball court Monday as the Houghton Gremlins and Hancock Bulldogs girls basketball teams battled it out. While very much similar teams on paper, the Gremlins stayed the course and won the game, 53-44.

It was a contest that saw a couple of lead changes, but the Gremlins proved to be the better team in the final quarter. After being tied at seven and nine, the Bulldogs led 10-9 after one.

In the second, though, the Gremlins outscored the Bulldogs 18-12, which put them ahead 27-22 at half.

“We got some separation in the second quarter, but Hancock came back and took the lead (in the third),” said Gremlins coach Julie Filpus. “However, I didn’t see any fear of defeat on our girls’ faces. We played our game and persevered for the win.”

The Bulldogs (3-6) came out and outscored the Gremlins 10-5 to open the third. Tied at 32-32 at the 4:50 mark, the game was knotted again at 34 before the Bulldogs took a brief 36-34 lead.

Unfortunately, that is where the scoring ended for the team in white. Buckets would not fall for the Bulldogs, and the Gremlins went on to score five more to finish the third in the lead at 41-36.

The Gremlins’ (7-2) scoring didn’t stop in the fourth as they stayed with their brand of basketball and won the quarter, 12-8, to seal the win.

Ellie Hainhault led the scoring for the Bulldogs with 14. Teammate Mia Lawson sunk 10.

“Game ball goes to the team,” noted Filpus. “We worked the ball well and got some big stops on defense.”

Alecia Aho was the top scorer for the Bulldogs with 18. Emery Chynoweth had 11.

Up next

The Gremlins will travel to West Iron County to face the Wykons Thursday. The Bulldogs will welcome Iron Mountain to their gym Friday.