Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Escanaba’s Erik Victorson shoots a layup around Marquette defender Jordan DeMay (35) Thursday at Escanaba.

ESCANABA — It was an explosive opener for the Escanaba boys in the Great Northern Conference. After a defensively-inclined first half, the Eskymos built up enough steam to even it out and push through overtime to win it 61-57 against Marquette in Escanaba Thursday.

“The limited fans that were here got a great game,” Esky coach Tracy Hudson said.

Entering overtime tied at 46, Brandon Frazer put the Eskymos ahead 48-46 with two from the charity stripe 43 seconds in.

Marquette answered but couldn’t fully even it out when, less than 10 seconds later, Kameron Karp sank a bonus shot but bounced out of the second to make it 48-47.

25 seconds later, Esky’s Nathan Howes stole it as Marquette was driving toward the basket to hamper the Redmen’s momentum.

The Eskymos’ Eric Victorson then turned a layup into a three-point play to make it 51-47 with 2:03 remaining.

Shortly after, it was Marquette’s turn, and Ty Lotterman sank a bucket and a free throw to cut the Redmen’s deficit to 51-50.

Colin Hudson answered for the Eskymos and put one back to make it 53-50.

With just 55 seconds left, Karp drained two more free throws to move back within one, but Esky’s Jared Hanson — with an assist from Carter Hudson — hit a triple from the corner to push its advantage to two possessions.

“Jared Hanson hit a big shot for us,” coach Hudson said. “It kind of gave us a little bit of a cushion.

On the next possession, Carter Hudson grabbed a defensive rebound and drew a foul on his way to the basket. He went 1-for-2 from the free throw line to make it 57-52 with 29.2 left.

With 19.2 seconds left, Karp drained two from the line and was followed by Victorson less than a second later to keep equilibrium.

Karp then gave the Redmen their best shot at earning the overtime victory with a contorted leaping triple that cut their deficit to 59-57, but Frazer drained two from the charity stripe with 5.6 seconds left to seal the game.

“I thought that we were on par with Marquette,” coach Hudson said. “Late third, early fourth, from that point on, there was just a lot of little run. It gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.”

Entering the fourth quarter, Marquette led 34-32, as they had for the majority of the game, but Victorson passed one in to Carter Hudson for a layup to tie it at 34.

“We had some bad possessions,” Nelson. “We were able to settle it down and stop the bleeding. We were able to end it with a 6-0 run (to force overtime).

“I told them we needed a bucket, and we did. That’s a good thing moving forward.”

Shortly after, Colin Hudson drained a trey to put the Eskymos ahead 37-34 a minute and a half into the fourth.

The Redmen earned just enough, going on an 8-4 run in the last five minutes to tie it at 46 when Frazer missed a bonus throw with 22 seconds left.

“Both teams have a long way to go I think, but for us, it’s just huge to be able to take care of our own court in a GNC race where all the teams are solid,” coach Hudson said. “Can you win the close ones? Can you find a way to pull them out? It’s hard to win against Marquette or us because (we’re experienced teams). Even though they haven’t played a lot of basketball, they have a core that’s been together, and they can execute down the stretch.”

Carter Hudson led the way for the Eskymos with 18 points, and Frazer followed with 10.

The Redmen were led by Lotterman with 15 points, and Lincoln Sager collected 12. Karp finished with 11.

“That kid (Victorson) adds a whole new element to what they can do,” Nelson said. “Shooters planted all over the floor, and they have two big guys that can post up around the rim. They’re hard to guard. We’ll be more prepared next time, and I couldn’t be more proud of my guys’ effort.”

Escanaba, which won the JV game 49-46 and lost the freshmen one 44-38, travels to Traverse City Saturday. Marquette hosts Menominee today.

Marquette 13 13 8 12 11 — 57

Escanaba 13 8 11 14 15 — 61

Marquette — Lotterman 15, Sager 12, Karp 11, Jurmu 5, Demay 5 Johnson 3, Beauchamp 3, Everhard 2; F: 21; Fouled out: Demay; FT: 11-15; 3-point field goals: Sager 2, Karp 1, Lotterman 1, Jurmu 1.

Escanaba — Carter Hudson 18, Frazer 10, Colin Hudson 9, Victorson 9, Hanson 6, Brown 4, Smale 3, Maki 2; F: 16; Fouled out: Colin Hudson; FT: 13-19; 3-point field goals: Hanson 2, Carter Hudson 1, Frazer 1, Smale 1, Colin Hudson 1.