ESCANABA — Nobody can say they didn’t try.

Despite their best effort, the Bay College women were unable to extend their basketball season after falling to Dakota College at Bottineau (N.D.) in the Region 13 championship game here Sunday afternoon.

The victory enables Bottineau (20-12) to host North Platte (Neb.) in a district title contest Saturday. The Norse finished 8-18.

“This is a good win for us,” Bottineau coach Wayne Johnson said shortly after the players cut down the nets in celebration. “We hit some shots early, which helped us get a real good start.”

Sophomore guard Kaitlynn Scherr sank jump shots from the right corner and 21 feet, and freshman center Jacie Hall added a 15-foot jumper for an early 8-0 lead.

Bottineau led 19-9 after sophomore forward Trinity Goggles split a pair of free throws with two minutes, 24 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Norse answered with a 7-0 run, shaving their deficit to 19-15 on a buzzer-beating layup by sophomore forward and St. Ignace graduate Madison Olsen, who signed a letter of intent to continue her cage career at Olivet College after the game.

“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t win, but it’s a great feeling to get that done,” she said. “This is obviously something I’ve stressed about. Outside of basketball, I’ll be able to relax a little more.”

Both teams struggled offensively in the second stanza with the Norse trailing 26-19 after Olsen converted another layup two seconds before halftime.

The Norse were within 28-25 following a jumper from the boulevard by Olsen early in the third.

Bottineau then sank three trifectas, including one from the left wing by Scherr for a 37-25 cushion midway through that quarter.

“They definitely hit their shots,” said Olsen, who missed a semester a year ago. “Our defensive scheme was probably the best it has been. I’ve enjoyed playing here. It has been a real good three years. They’re a very good team. I hope they do well.”

Bottineau led 50-33 following a lay-in by freshman center Kaylynn Gulliford late in the third frame.

The visitors continued to extend the lead through the remainder of the contest.

Bottineau was led by the region’s most valuable player, sophomore guard Maria Moore, who collected 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Hall also scored 15 points, and Scherr and Goggles had 11 apiece.

“Maria’s a player,” said Johnson. “She has been our go-to player for the whole season. Jacie did a nice job inside. She presented problems for them down low. She’s a complete player.”

Olsen led the Norse with 12 points and two blocked shots. Freshman point guard and North Central graduate Andi Arsenault and freshman forward and Gwinn grad Tianna Taylor finished with 10 points each.

“One good thing about our program is we always compete hard, especially in tournaments,” said Bay coach Matt Gregory. “We have to give their team a lot of credit for taking the long bus ride and playing the way they did. I’m proud of our team’s effort. We probably played our best defense all year into the third quarter. Their girls can hit shots from deep, and number 43 (Hall) is strong and tough inside.”

Bottineau held a 39-30 rebounding advantage, hit 26-of-65 field goals and committed eight turnovers. Bay was 16-of-47 from the floor and had 15 miscues.

“It was awesome having the sophomores and their work ethic,” said Gregory. “I was blessed to be around them. I wish nothing but the best for them going forward.”

Bottineau 19 7 24 20 — 70

Bay College 15 4 14 15 — 48

Dakota College at Bottineau — Conradsen 4, Scherr 11, Moore 15, St. Pierre 3, Hall 15, Berglof 2, Brummond 5, T. Goggles 11, Gulliford 4. FT: 9-12; F: 19; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Scherr 3, Moore 2, T. Goggles 2, Conradsen, St. Pierre, Brummond.

Bay College — Englund 3, B. Arsenault 5, A. Arsenault 10, Trudeau 2, Olsen 12, Cretton 6, Taylor 10. FT: 10-16; F: 7; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: A. Arsenault 2, Englund, B. Arsenault, Olsen, Taylor.