GCC downs Hibbing for Lindquist split

IRONWOOD — The Gogebic Community College Samsons held off Hibbing's late 3-point barrage for a 72-66 victory Sunday in the final day of the Lindquist Classic.

The Samsons fell to Vermilion 91-78 Saturday night, but stopped a two-game home skid with Sunday's win.

The Samsons had also lost two straight games, including a defeat last week at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. The win put Gogebic above .500 at 4-3.

"We needed this one for our psyche," GCC coach DennisMackey said. "Every team goes through this. We're struggling. It's Thanksgiving break. Some guys went home and just got back. Like all teams, we can't expect the world of these guys. They've got to have some home life, some time at home. And it's a big tournament, good teams."

Gogebic built the lead as big as 23 points, 49-26, in the second half Sunday. The game seemed over until Hibbing's Beau Howard's triple with 4:38 left made it 67-57. It was Hibbing's sixth 3-pointer of the second half and fifth by Howard.

A Hibbing putback got the deficit to single digits with 3:58 left, but the Cardinals couldn't pull closer than eight until a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Hibbing was just 2 of 10 from behind the arc in the first half and 7 of 29 from the field. They found their touch too late to complete the comeback.

Kevin Smith led GCC with 13 points. Keenan Lampinen had 10. They were the only two in double figures, but 11 players scored.

"We got everybody in the game, No. 1, that was one of my goals," Mackey said. "No. 2, we got a win. It got down to eight points a couple times, but the guys got to learn how to play, they got to learn how to compete in that situation. When you've got somebody down, you have to finish. Guys come off the bench, you've got to make plays. Everybody wants to play, so the challenge is when you get in there, you have to perform. For the most part, we did. We let them back in there a little bit, they got hot and we made a couple bad decisions with the basketball."

GCC never trailed, holding Hibbing to just three points in the first 10 minutes of the game. That gave the Samsons an 11-3 lead, which they expanded to 39-23 by halftime.

"We played good defense and we moved the basketball," Mackey said. "I thought we moved the ball exceptionally well at times. When we did, that's when we scored points. Maybe we dribbled a little bit too much; we have to curb that a little bit."

Gogebic won despite shooting shooting 10 of 21 from the free throw line.

"We missed some key opportunities to put the game in control," Mackey said. "We've got to make free throws better than we are. Even (Saturday's) game, we missed a bunch of free throws and missed a couple putbacks. That magnifies it in a close game."

United Tribes went 2-0 in the tournament, including Sunday's 100-93 win over Vermilion. GCC will play United Tribes on the road on Dec. 12 and could see them again in the postseason.

"Tribes is a very good team, very impressed with the way they play, good style, run and gun, like to shoot the 3, maybe more than we do," Mackey said. "They have guys who can shoot it. They're long and lanky and good athletes, real nice team. It was nice to see them play."

Howard ended up with a game-high 30 points.

GCC's Tarius Hagood led all players with 11 rebounds.

"Particularly second half, it seemed like he got every rebound," Mackey said. "Cooper played well. LaDell was tough. Harris and Smith off the bench did a good job for us. Cole Kivisto had a big game today. I thought he played real well again, gave us some good minutes and was solid with the basketball. That's what I need, a fourth or fifth guy on the team that stabilizes things and makes good decisions with the basketball."

GCC's Don Hutchens lost his mother over the weekend after battling a lengthy illness.

"We're a little emotional about that, and we let Don get a start today. He played well when he was in there," Mackey said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him."

Hibbing — Beau Howard 30, Seric Walker-Jones 3, Markis Watkins 6, Noah Davis 5, Denzel Jones 7, Anthony Fisher 15. FTs: 11-20. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Carr. 3-pointers: Howard 7, Walker-Jones 1, Davis 1.

Gogebic — LaDell Hickman 7, Cole Kivisto 3, Kevin Smith 13, Michael Harris 7, Adam Mackey 8, Donald Hutchens 3, Collin Miller 3, Bryant Rowe 5, Tarius Hagood 4, Keenan Lampinen 10, Brandon Cooper 9. FTs: 10-21. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None. 3-pointers: Hickman 2, Kivisto 1, Smith 1, Harris 1, Mackey 1, Hutchens 1, Miller 1, Rowe 1, Lampinen 1.

Half: GCC 39-23.

Vermilion 91

Gogebic 78

Ironwood — Vermilion outscored Gogebic Community College 18-4 to gain separation midway through the second half in a 91-78 victory Saturday in the Lindquist Classic.

Gogebic took a 45-43 lead on an Adam Mackey 3-pointer with 17:23 left in what had been a back-and-forth game with eight lead changes.

But Vermilion retook the lead and pulled ahead 61-49 with about 11 minutes left.

“I think we got a little wore down. Thanksgiving break caught up to us a little bit,” coach Mackey said. “We didn’t do a good job on the defensive glass. We got burnt, too many offensive rebounds and probably six or eight putbacks in the second half when we tried to hang in there. Part of it is their size and their scheme and their offense. Part of it was our defense on the perimeter wasn’t as good as it needs to be. We’re letting guys penetrate. We’d step up and when we step up, we were getting pinned away from the glass on the weak side.”

GCC had its best chance for a rally when Mackey drained a triple from the corner while drawing the foul. He made the free throw and the four-point play pulled Gogebic within 61-53.

But Vermilion’s Devona Brooks came right down on the other end and drained a triple to get the lead back to double digits where it stayed the rest of the night.

“One of those shots that the guy takes it from three or four feet behind the line and he drains it,” coach Mackey said. “That’s part of the game, but we have to get out and defend that better."

Mackey led all scorers with 26 points on 7 of 13 shooting from behind the arc. Brandon Cooper had 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting from the floor. LaDell Hickman scored 12 points.

"Adam had a big weekend with his points," coach Mackey said.

Tommy Butler was tough to handle inside and he led Vermilion with 20 points. Pierre Roddy had 16 as five hit double figures for Vermilion, which always seems to bring a strong team to the Lindquist Classic.

“It’s just one of those things, they played well and we didn’t,” Mackey said. “When they’ve got good athletes on the other team and they’re playing well, it’s a tough matchup.”

Vermilion — Eddarie Hibbler 6, Dre Lucas 11, Devonta Brooks 12, Mark Stalla 10, Gierce Kazumba 11, Christian Rodrequez 2, Nin 3, Pierre Roddy 16,Tommy Butler 20. FTs: 10-14. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. 3-pointers: Kazumba 3, Roddy 1, Nin 1, Lucas 1, Sralla 1.

Gogebic — LaDell Hickman 12, Kevin Smith 5, Michael Harris 5, Adam Mackey 26, Ben Zielinski 3, Collin Miller 4, Tarius Hagood 3, Keenan Lampinen 2, Brandon Cooper 18. FTs: 17-24. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Miller. 3-pointers: Mackey 7, Hickman 2, Smith 1, Harris 1.

Half: Vermilion 39-38.