Mark Johnson | Daily Press Bay College forward Tyler Willette with a shot in the lane against Western Tech Saturday in the Norse 71-63 victory.

ESCANABA – Three blocked shots on one possession by Bay College center Kobi Lumsden-Barnes at the end of the first half spurred on the Norse in a hard-fought 71-63 win here Saturday over Western Tech College.

Lumsden-Barnes’ big defensive plays and a key offensive spurt from guard Alfonso Fields in the second half, led the Norse (4-2) to the home victory. “The right before half time stop, where Kobi (Lumsden-Barnes) had three blocks was really huge,” said Bay College coach Matt Johnson.

“It gave us momentum into the second half. Today was by far our most consistent and intense game this season.”

Western Tech’s quick back court gave the Norse troubles in the first half. And six steals in the first 20 minutes led the Cavaliers to an early 17-16 lead.

Lumsden-Barnes led the Bay first half scoring with 10 points and the Norse led 34-26 at the break.

Tech’s Mhalik Lindsey hit back-to-back three pointers to give his team a 48-46 lead with nine minutes left in the game.

Then Fields took over, scoring 10 second half points, including a stretch of seven straight points, to give the Norse a 54-51 lead with seven minutes remaining.

The aggressive plays by Fields attacking the basket was just what the doctor ordered, according to Johnson.

“That’s a huge step for Alfonzo,” he said. “That is something we have been working with him on. He has always been a real good perimeter shooter and hasn’t been aggressive enough. Today when we needed him to make plays, he stepped up and made them.”

Lumsden-Barnes led Bay in scoring with 15 and rebounding with nine.

Fields scored 14 points and Reggie Dean had 12, and Tyler Willette hit 10.

Tech (0-2) from LaCrosse, Wis., had four players score in double digits led by Lindsey with 13.

The Norse used 14 players and nine players scored and the bench play and intensity in the game was a key factor in the victory.

“Our depth is one of our strengths and we got contributions from everybody who played,” said Johnson. “Our bench was awesome today bringing energy and focus when they came in.”

The Norse will take a four-game winning streak on the road for two weeks of away contests before the next home game Dec. 5, hosting Alpena Community College.