Kingsford senior Gavin Grondin (20) drivs to the basket during a MHSAA Division 2 regional semifinal game against Boyne City on March 4, 2025 at Manistique High School. (Mitch Vosburg/Daily Press)

IRONWOOD — Fans who enjoy uptempo basketball were treated to quite a show here Thursday night as the Northern Michigan boys’ all-stars outlasted Northern Wisconsin 127-112 in the Kiwanis Club of Ironwood Classic Border Bash.

The victory was the first since 2017 for Michigan, which had dropped six straight decisions to the Badger state teams.

“This was a high scoring game, but there was also some good defense,” Michigan assistant coach Dan Freberg of Marquette said. “The kid from Ewen-Trout Creek (Austin Gordon) hit a three-point shot and a two, which gave us a 15-point lead and kind of sealed it. Those were two big shots. Had they gotten their deficit down to single digits, it would have been a dogfight in the end.”

Wisconsin got within 117-107 with 3½ minutes to play before Gordon sank a jump shot from top of the key and drained his two-pointer for a 122-107 advantage at the Gogebic Community College’s Lindquist Center in this fast-paced contest.

Michigan held a 98-80 cushion following a buzzer-beating 20-foot jumper from the right wing by Marquette’s Jacob MacPhee.

Iron Mountain’s Oskar Kangas then opened the fourth stanza with a jumper from the lane for a 20-point advantage.

Wisconsin drew within 103-93 on a layup by Ladysmith’s Andrew Lehmann early within the fourth.

MacPhee, however, scored on a putback and lay-in to put Michigan up 113-97 with 6:37 remaining.

With 4:35 left, Michigan gained a seemingly-comfortable 117-101 cushion on a layup by Marquette’s Kyler Sager, the game’s Most Valuable Player, before Wisconsin responded with six unanswered points.

“Having the best players in the U.P. coming all together, we had great passing which set up a lot of plays,” he said. “It was nice to get into the give-and-go because it made scoring pretty easy. Although, they played strong. I think our speed and quickness made a difference. It was good to get all the guys together. It means a lot to win this game.”

Michigan led 25-23 after the first quarter before a reverse layup by Oconto’s Carter Koch tied the contest.

Wisconsin went ahead 32-30 on a 21-foot jumper from the right wing by Cameron’s Carter Cherney early in the second.

Michigan then outscored Wisconsin 26-9, taking a 56-41 lead on a five-foot turn-around jumper by Kangas 2:32 before halftime.

Wisconsin answered with an 11-2 run through the remainder of the half, shaving its deficit to 58-52 at the intermission.

Michigan led by as much as 95-74 following a layup by Marquette’s Jaxon Jurmu late in the third before Wisconsin made a comeback.

The Wolverine state squad scored seven in double digits and drained 16 three-point shots.

Sager led the way with 27 points. Kangas added 24 and MacPhee finished with 22.

Koch paced Wisconsin with 24 points. Camden Schurk of Stevens Point Pacelli scored 21 and Gillett’s Jesse DeBauch had 20.

Both teams struggled from the free throw line with Michigan hitting 9-of-16 and Wisconsin finishing 15-of-26.

Amery’s Carter Wollan won the three-point shooting and dunk contests during the halftime festivities.

Northern Wisconsin  23  29  28  32  —  112

Northern Michigan  25  33  40  29  —  127

  Northern Wisconsin — Garrett 7, Lehmann 9, Schurk 21, Cherney 9, Koch 24, Wollan, DeBauch 20, Roehm 4. FT: 15-26; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Koch 4, Schurk 2, Lehmann, Cherney, Wollan.

  Northern Michigan — Gordon 12, Luoma 13, Grondin 13, MacPhee 22, Jurmu 10, Guenette 2, Sager 27, Sleik 4, Kangas 24; FT: 9-16; F: 14; Fouled out: Grondin; 3-point field goals: Sager 4, Kangas 3, Gordon 2, MacPhee 2, Jurmu 2, Luoma.