Bay College freshman Joshua Ofori (34) attempts a jump shot against Bryant & Stratton on Jan. 8, 2024 at the Bay College Gymnasium.

ESCANABA — After asserting itself on the defensive boards in the second half, Bay College mens’ basketball rallied past Bryant & Stratton College 77-67 in a non-conference basketball game here Monday night.

Bay trailed 39-29 early in the second half before it began its comeback.

“They’re good,” Bay coach Matt Johnson said. “They’re well coached and they run their stuff well. We didn’t do ourselves any favors in the first half. Lot of the stuff we did was bad, but we showed some toughness in the second half. We did enough in the second half to fight our way back into it.”

The victory enabled the Norse to improve to 13-2 overall this season and 2-8 in their series against the Bobcats.

Freshman forward Jaheem Tyson gave the Bobcats their 10-point lead on a layup less than 90 seconds into the second half.

The Norse (13-2) responded with six unanswered points, shaving their deficit to 39-35 on a pair of free throws by sophomore wing Genesis Kemp.

A layup by freshman guard Anthony Vaval gave the Bobcats (10-4) a 43-35 cushion.

The Bobcats still led 46-38 following a 3-point field goal by sophomore guard Terrance McClendon before Bay closed within 46-44 on a putback by Kemp with 14 minutes, 57 seconds left in the contest.

A pair of free throws by Vaval made it 48-44 before the Norse answered with a 13-0 run.

The Norse often limited the Bobcats to one shot during that run.

A jump shot from top of the key by freshman guard Nic Williams brought the Norse within a point before a dunk by freshman wing Ibrahim Diakite gave them a 49-48 lead with 14 minutes remaining.

Diakite gave the Norse a 51-48 lead on a layup with 13:14 left and freshman guard Ryan Sweeney made it 53-48 on a layup, set up on a pass from freshman point guard Ezra Brown 59 seconds later.

“Our defense was good in the second half,” Sweeney said. “We were flying around. The first half was a little slow. In the second half, I think we realized we could speed them up a little. A lot of teams have been playing a zone against us and try to slow us down. Early in the second half, they got a big lead and we answered real quick. I think they got frustrated and that’s when we really got momentum. We have a fully athletic team.”

The Norse, following a more deliberate offensive approach this time, trailed 33-24 following a 23-foot jumper from the right wing by Bryant & Stratton freshman guard Karter Thomas late in the first half.

A lay-in by Kemp and a 20-foot jumper by freshman guard Kairee Gadson then brought Bay within 33-29 at halftime.

“They ran a zone that was really efficient,” Johnson said. “Their 1-3-1 gave us some problems. They made us think. It was a battle all the way. I think they’re a top 25 team in the nation.”

Sweeney finished with 17 points, four assists and two steals. Gadson added 16 points and three steals. Williams and Kemp scored 11 points apiece.

Tyson paced the Bobcats with 18 points and 10 rebounds. McClendon scored 13 points and Thomas had 12.

“Jaheem was real efficient,” Bobcats’ coach Charles Ruffing said. “He’s an all-around real good basketball player and an even better person. There’s room for growth for him.

“They’re a good basketball team. They killed us in every aspect of the game. We couldn’t get the stops we needed in the second half. We’ve got a lot to learn.”

Bay held a 28-22 rebounding edge, hit 28-of-49 field goals and committed 20 turnovers. The Bobcats were 22-of-50 from the field and had 18 miscues.

The Norse host Grand Rapids Community College in Saturday’s Michigan Community College Athletic Association North Division opener.

Bryant & Stratton 33 34 — 67

Bay College 29 48 — 77

Bryant & Stratton College — McClendon 13, Melvin 8 Vaval 6, Tyson 18, Thomas 12, Ford 3, Hughes 7. FT: 17-23; F: 21; Fouled out: Tyson; Technical foul: Coach Ruffing; 3-point field goals: McClendon 3, Melvin 2, Thomas.

Bay College — Mawo 7, Gadson 16, Sweeney 17, Williams 11, Ofori 3, Diakite 9, Brown 3, Kemp 11. FT: 16-29; F: 20; Fouled out: Gadson, Kemp; 3-point field goals: Gadson 2, Williams 2, Brown.