This regional game was a close one — as in tied after one quarter, and again after three. It was won in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

“In that last quarter, we were able to make some key plays and get a little easier look here and there and pull away,” noted Panthers coach Jacky Besonen.

Those easier looks pushed the Ewen-Trout Creek girls out from a 25-25 knot to start the fourth to a 31-27 lead and the eventual win

“The girls did a good job by sticking with it,” she added.

Hancock’s Brooke Koskela attempts to drive around a Ewen-Trout Creek defender during a Division 4 Region 25 semifinal game against Hancock Monday at the Houghton Gym. (David Archambeau/For the Gazette)

This was a defensive battle from the start. The two teams pushed out out to a 6-6 tie after one. In the second, it was tied again at eight, 10, and 17 before the Panthers Bree Besonen hit a three and put her squad up 20-19 at half.

“At half I told the girls to be tough and patient,” coach Besonen added. The Bulldogs took a brief 23-22 lead before the clock ran out in the third, and the score was again tied at 25 with just eight minuted to go. The Panthers took that tough and patient spirit into the fourth and outscored the Bulldogs 12-2.

“Hancock didn’t make it easy,” Jacky Besonen stated. “They are an excellent defensive team who made it hard for us to score. This was a team win as we had some key moments by several of the girls.”

Bree Besonen and Irelynd McGeshick both had 11 points for the Panthers.

Alecia Aho led the scoring for the Bulldogs with nine.

While he obviously wished for a different outcome, Hancock coach Ward Helakoski said he was very proud of his girls.

“We needed to play better offensive against a good team like that,” he said. “It hurts to get beat, but to win a district title was great. We came a long way this season.”

UP NEXT

The Panthers will face the Norway Vikings Wednesday for the Division 4 Region 25 final in Marquette. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.