Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette Baraga’s Jaycee Larson (14) puts u a defensive stance against an Ironwood player on Thursday at the Baraga High School gym.

BARAGA — Thursday night’s girls basketball game between the Baraga Vikings and the Ironwood Red Devils was not your typical games for these two successful U.P. girls teams. There were less than 10 points scored by both teams in the first eight minutes, and just 20 total at halftime. While Baraga posted the only double-digit quarter of the night with 14 points in the third, this one remained a low-scoring affair the entirety of the contest, with a final score of 35-17.

Both coaches agreed that it was a defensive battle from tip off to final buzzer.

“Ironwood is a good team, and they have a good defense as we saw tonight,” said Baraga coach Tyler Larson. “But, so did we and I am proud of the girls for that. The game ball goes to our defense.”

Ironwood coach Jesse Mackey (10-5), liked the low-scoring first half, which ended with Baraga up 13-7. She said it spoke to the character of her team.

“It was a defensive battle,” she said. “I need to give credit to my girls for holding a very good Baraga team to just 13 points in the first half. It was a great effort.”

Some halftime adjustments by Baraga (10-4) made the difference. That included stepping up the offense, according to their coach.

“I told the girls that they need to take the shots when they can,” said Larson, “and they did. That put some space between us in terms of a lead.”

It was 27-10 after three.

He added that being able to rotate girls in and out gave them some fresh legs in the fourth and that depth made the difference.

“There was better attention to taking care of the ball in the third, and that led to some turnovers and baskets,” Larson said.

Both teams had just one girl in double figures.

For the Vikings, it was Makenna Hendrickson with 15 points. Ironwood’s Jaelyn Novascone led the team with 10 points.

Despite the loss, Mackey was pleased with her girls’ tenacity on the court.

“I have to be satisfied with my girls’ effort in playing a strong team like this,” she said. “It was a good showing.

UP NEXT

The Vikings will seek revenge upon the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes on Monday at home. The Lakes are undefeated (13-0) and beat the Viking by two earlier in the season. Tip off is set for 7:15 p.m.