PORT HURON, MI – The Bay College Norse Women’s Basketball Team (10-3) participated in the Skippers New Years Classic Tournament this weekend hosted by St. Clair County Community College. The Norse picked up a win over the host school by a score of 64-52 before dropping an 80-69 decision to Macomb Community College on Saturday.

The Norse came out hot in the first game, hitting four of seven from three and converting 50% from the field in the opening quarter. They scored 21 points and forced seven Skipper (9-6) turnovers in that timeframe, opening up a double-digit lead.

Bay held a comfortable lead throughout, though they could never pull away. St. Clair County got as close as seven points down with just over six minutes to play, but a 10-1 Norse run dashed any hopes of a comeback, as Bay would go on to win by 12.

While Bay would not maintain the offense efficiency they started with, the Skippers never really caught a consistent rhythm and shot 26.4% for the contest.

Laruen Zawada (SO, Bark River, MI) led all scorers with 23 points and had ten rebounds and four assists. McKenzie Hoffmeyer (SO, Bark River, MI) added ten points and eight rebounds. Nina Bower (RS-FR, Bark River, MI) grabbed nine rebounds.

Kyrieona Carter (FR, Detroit, MI) grabbed an eye-popping 28 rebounds for SC4 in the contest. She added ten points to her stat line. Skyler Bowles (SO, Ypsilanti, MI) was the leading scorer for the Skippers with 13 points. Myana Cooksey (FR, Detroit, MI) added 11 points, while Soleil DeJesus (FR, Auburndale, FL) added ten points and five rebounds.

After a back-and-forth, tied at 12 first quarter with the Monarchs of Macomb Community College (11-4) a big second quarter by Macomb changed the narrative. The Monarchs went on multiple runs and shot 61.1% for the quarter while the Norse missed on five three-point attempts and shot 36.8% from the floor. Bay went into the locker room down 40-26.

The Norse had troubles cutting into the lead throughout the third, but mustered a comeback attempt late in the fourth. Addison Cullen (FR, St. Ignace, MI) was fouled as she hit a layup with just over four minutes to play, and her ensuing free throw cut the lead to just three, seemingly putting all the momentum in favor of Bay College.

Macomb quickly swung the momentum back in their favor, scoring on their next three possessions before the Norse could answer. The Monarchs finished the game on a 15-4 run to take the victory.

Cullen had one of the best nights of her young college career, ending with 19 points and seven rebounds. Bower ended with 17 points and six rebounds, while Makenna Hendrickson (SO, Baraga, MI) had 12 points and five assists. Zawada grabbed 17 rebounds.

Asiyah Jihad (SO, Farmington, MI) was tough to stop and she had 22 points, 13 rebounds, and four steals for the Monarchs. A’Liyah Forris (RS-SO, Detroit, MI) ended her afternoon with 17 poitns, six rebounds, and four assists, while Mykenzi Harris (FR, Clinton Twp., MI) added 16 points. Jamoya McWilliams (SO, Detroit, MI) had 12 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

The Norse return home on Wednesday evening for their final nonconference tune-up of the season. They will welcome Bryant and Stratton (WI) to Escanaba. That game will tip off at 5:30 pm.