Escanaba senior Ava Stalboerger attempts to make a play at the basket against Houghton on Jan. 29, 2026 at Escanaba High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Houghton’s full-court pressure defense proved to be too much for Escanaba as it handed the Eskymos a 70-29 basketball loss here Thursday night.

The Gremlins took charge quickly, rolling to a 19-4 advantage after the first quarter of this non-conference contest.

Houghton increased its lead to 25-4 on a layup by junior Ellie Hainault early in the second stanza.

Senior Landry Bray then provided a layup for the Eskymos.

The Gremlins extended their lead to 32-6 on a 22-foot jump shot from the left wing by senior Jacey Sleeman midway through the second.

“I thought we were able to sub a lot of players and keep up the intensity,” Houghton coach Julie Filpus said. “I like the way we ran the floor. We’re not as tall as other years, but we make up for it with hustle and grit.”

Esky shaved its deficit to 32-10 with a layup by senior Ava Stahlboerger on a bounce pass from sophomore Aubrey Mylander late in the second frame before Houghton then pushed its lead to 39-12 at halftime.

Esky senior Susie Moberg scored on a putback to start the third quarter

The Gremlins answered with an 11-0 run, extending their lead to 50-14 on a layup by senior Lexi Burns on a pass from Haineault.

Houghton’s cushion reached 56-18 on a 21-foot jumper by Hainault before its reserves took the floor.

The Eskymos responded within an 8-0 run, but still trailed 56-26 early in the fourth when Bray split a pair of free throws.

Houghton, however, didn’t allow Esky to get any closer.

“I was very disappointed in our start, but very happy how we came out after the half,” Esky coach Tracy Hudson. “Right now we’re facing a lot of full-court pressure and it’s taking us out of our half-court offense. We just didn’t handle it tonight. Julie’s a great coach. Houghton is very disciplined. We’ve got to put more time in during the off-season.”

Junior Ruby Zawada, cousin to Bay College sophomore guard Lauren Zawada and Bark River-Harris junior Emma Zawada, led the Gremlins with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Hainault added 16 points and senior Sleeman finished with 11.

“Rudy had a very good performance and I think Mia Lawson is deceptively fast ,” Filpus said. “Mia is crafty. She can change direction and find her way to the rim. We like to run the floor. Our press has worked well.”

Stahlboerger paced Esky with 12 points and Bray added seven.

The Gremlins (9-3) committed 13 turnovers and Esky had 27.

“We have to be more disciplined against the press,” Hudson said. “I thought Ava and Landry played well and Brooklyn (Beauchamp) played hard for us. I’ve seen some improvement from our girls, but we’re still turning the ball over too much.”

The Eskymos played without sophomore Abigail Derkos, who suffered a concussion in Tuesday’s 50-33 victory at Manistique.

Esky (2-9), which won the jayvee contest, hosted Negaunee Friday. The Eskymos resume Monday by hosting Gwinn. The Gremlins travel to Marquette Tuesday.

Houghton 19 20 17 14 — 70

Escanaba 4 8 13 4 — 29

Houghton — Lawson 6, Hainault 16, Zawada 23, Matson 4, Burns 4, Sleeman 11, Mattson 2, Kreipke 1, Filpus 2, Hebert 1. FT: 10-12; F: 17; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Zawada 3, Hainault 2, Sleeman.

Escanaba — Beauchamp 4, Moberg 4, Bray 7, Mylander 1, Stahlboerger 12, LeMire 1. FT: 5-14; F: 13; Fouled out: Mylander.