Austin Hemmingson | Daily Press Escanaba’s Bailey Barron (2) drives against Sault Ste. Marie’s Emily McLean during Friday’s game at Escanaba.

ESCANABA — Senior Julia Beaumont was a thorn in Escanaba’s side in the second half here Friday night as the Sault Ste. Marie girls posted a 63-56 basketball victory.

Beaumont scored 15 points, including 11 in the second half of this non-conference contest.

“They went inside and got the ball to her, and we couldn’t stop her,” said Esky coach Mike Beveridge. “She’s real strong inside. We gave up a late rebound to her off a free throw and it really hurt us.”

A 22-foot set shot from the left wing by junior guard Anna Smith brought the Eskymos within 59-54 with 35.9 seconds left to play.

Sault junior guard Lilly Alaspa then sank four free throws at crunch time to put the game out of reach.

The Blue Devils led 32-27 at halftime, then went on a 7-2 run and gained a 39-29 advantage midway through the third quarter when Alaspa squeezed between two defenders for a layup.

Smith then sank a four-foot jumper on a pass from junior guard Nicole Kamin to trim Esky’s deficit to 39-31.

Beaumont then converted a lay-in and gifter, giving the Sault Devils a 42-31 cushion.

“Julia had a real good second half,” said Sault coach Pat Bennin. “She had a critical rebound late in the game. In the last two minutes, we made some critical plays to win it.”

The Eskymos outscored the Blue Devils 9-2 through the remainder of the third, climbing within 44-40 on a 10-foot floater by sophomore guard Bailey Barron.

Following a pair of gifters by Sault senior Jordan Scott, Esky came within 46-43 on a 20-foot set shot by senior Taylor Ray early in the fourth.

The Eskymos, however, were unable to get any closer.

“We have a tough group of girls,” said Beveridge. “They don’t quit. We’d get a little run, then they would respond. I think we ran the floor well with them, but they had more size and got to the boards a little better than we did. We need to work on rebounding and boxing out. Give Sault credit. They responded when they had to. I also want to give our girls credit. They never gave up.”

Sault gained a 29-17 advantage on a layup by Scott with 4:41 left in the second frame.

Esky scored the next eight points, climbing within 29-25 on a hook shot from the lane by Kamin at 2:03.

“Kamin is a very good player,” said Bennin. “We wanted to make her work for all her points. I think our (full-court) pressure defense helped us control the tempo. We knew they were resilient. I thought this was a fun game to watch. They played great defense.”

Kamin finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots and drained all six of her free throws. Ray added 11 points for the Eskymos, who committed 12 turnovers and hit 10-of-11 free throws.

“Nicole doesn’t leave the floor very often,” said Beveridge. “She’s a tough kid. She gives it all she’s got. The girls gave their best effort, which is all we can ask of them. I think we’ll learn from this.”

Alaspa and Scott scored 12 points apiece for the Blue Devils, who had 13 miscues.

Esky (2-2), which won the jayvee game 52-43, meets Cedarburg, Wis. in its holiday tournament Friday. Sault (3-0) hosts Alpena Tuesday.

Sault Ste. Marie 18 14 12 19 — 63

Escanaba 12 15 13 16 — 56

Sault Ste. Marie — Alaspa 12, Beaumont 15, Erickson 6, Haller 4, Kelgar 7, Knowles 3, McLean 4, Scott 12. FT: 12-17; F: 13; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Scott 2, Haller, Knowles, Kelgar.

Escanaba — Barron 6, Kamin 18, Monkevich 6, Smith 5, Weber 5, Ray 11, Bink 5. FT: 10-11; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Smith, Weber, Ray, Bink.