ESCANABA — Free throws proved helpful to the Bay College men here Saturday as they hung on for a 73-69 basketball victory over Madison (Wis.) College in the Bay Fall Classic II.

The Norse drained 24-of-29 gifters in this match-up to remain undefeated in four games this season.

“I just don’t think we finished very well,” said Norse coach Matt Johnson. “We needed to stay aggressive. We had three advantage fast breaks and didn’t capitalize. The only saving grace is we shot free throws well.”

Bay, which led 43-27 at halftime, finally secured the decision with 5.2 seconds remaining when sophomore guard Jacquez Overstreet split a pair of gifters.

The Bay women came up a little short in a 44-40 loss to Madison.

Bay was within 42-40 after sophomore guard Alaina Trudeau sank two free throws with 8 1/2 seconds left to play.

Freshman guard Emma Paulson then iced it with a pair of gifters moments later.

“It was a stalemate at times,” said Bay coach Matt Gregory. “It was similar to last Saturday’s game against Gogebic (in a 56-52 loss). We had some layups that didn’t fall. It wasn’t very pretty at times.”

The Madison men (3-3) were within 35-27 before the Norse ended the first half with eight unanswered points, gaining their 16-point halftime cushion on a 15-foot turn-around jump shot by freshman guard Tyrel Creger.

Bay took a 46-31 advantage early in the second half when sophomore guard Lamar Grayson split a pair of free throws.

The Wolfpack then got within 46-37 on a gifter by sophomore Nik Feller with 15 minutes, 14 seconds left in the contest.

Bay took a seemingly-comfortable 68-54 lead on an 18-foot jumper by Grayson at 3:08.

Madison then closed the gap to 68-64 on a running jumper from the lane by freshman Peter Gustafson.

A pair of free throws by Grayson gave the Norse a 72-66 lead with 17.8 seconds remaining before Gustafson drained a 21-foot jumper from the right wing to bring the Wolfpack within three points.

“Madison is a very good team,” said Johnson. “We knew they were going to make a run. It couldn’t be more different than last night. This is the way college basketball is supposed to be played. Last night was crazy. I’m very proud of the way our guys kept their composure.”

Bay opened the weekend with a 73-55 triumph over Minnesota North-Mesabi Range, which got four technical fouls in the second half Friday night.

Grayson sank 11-of-12 free throws and scored 21 points for Bay Saturday. Creger and sophomore wing Jaylen Flaniken added 11 points each.

The Norse, who were outrebounded 42-32, hit 24-of-61 field goals and committed nine turnovers.

Sophomore Keith Hoffman scored 17 points and grabbed 11 boards for the Wolfpack. Feller also had 17 points. Freshman Deante Luster added 11 and sophomore Telin Porter had 10.

Madison finished with 13 turnovers.

“I thought we did a pretty good job containing Hoffman,” said Johnson. “He’s a real good player.”

Trudeau led the Bay women with 11 points. Sophomore guard Alyssa Cretton added nine points. Freshman forward Kassidy Roll collected eight points and 12 rebounds Humphrey also had eight points.

The Norse held a 49-43 rebounding edge, converted 14-of-57 field goals and committed 21 turnovers.

“The turnovers didn’t help at all,” said Gregory. “I thought we did a nice job keeping them cold beyond the arc. At times we did a good job helping out on defense, but had a hard time matching up at low post.”

Madison (2-4) was 16-of-62 from the floor and had 11 miscues.

Trudeau scored 25 points in Friday’s 79-50 victory over Mesabi. Cretton added 17 points and 10 rebounds and Roll had 13 points.

Mesabi was within 10 points with two minutes left in the third quarter before Bay surged to 52-35 lead going into the fourth.

“We got into a flow in the fourth quarter,” said Trudeau. “We really picked it up. We’re developing a little more team chemistry. We’re starting to trust each other. It’s always nice to get a win.”

Anna Fink scored 18 points. Deeter Davis hit 16 and Bonnie Taylor had 10 for Mesabi, which was 18-of-58 from the field and had 21 turnovers.

Bay had a 46-36 rebounding advantage and had 17 miscues.

The Bay men led 32-28 before extending their lead in the second half Friday.

Freshman wing Genesis Kemp scored 15 points for Bay, which sank 22-of-57 field goals and had 13 turnovers.

Sophomore Michael Johnson and freshman Nataj Sanders had 10 points each for Mesabi, which finished with 10 miscues.

The Bay women travel to Ely, Minn. this weekend where they’ll meet Rainy River Community College of nearby International Falls Friday at 6 p.m. and Itasca C.C. of Grand Rapids, Minn. Saturday at 2.

Men

Madison 27 43 — 69

Bay College 43 30 — 73

Madison College — Telfered 7, Hoffman 17, Feller 17, Gustafson 7, Luster 11, Porter 10. FT: 16-20; F: 20; Fouled out: Luster; 3-point field goals: Feller 3, Hoffman, Porter.

Bay College — Overstreet 6, Creger 11, Colin Hudson 8, Grayson 21, Nelson 2, Mawo 2, Flankien 11, Kemp 3, Foust 3, Carter Hudson 6. FT: 24-29; F: 18; Fouled out: None; Technical foul: Foust; 3-point field goals: Creger 2, Overstreet, Flaniken, Foust.

Women

Madison 6 11 7 20 — 44

Bay College 9 9 6 16 — 40

Madison College — Anzalone 3, Williams 8, Ripp 7, Hansen 5, Davis 17, Knox 2, Paulson 2. FT: 10-18; F: 17; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Anzalone, Davis.

Bay College — Humphrey 8, Frappy 2, Cretton 9, Trudeau 11, Roll 8, Taylor 2. FT: 10-16; F: 15; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Humphrey, Trudeau.