Tigers complete sweep of Red Devils

IRONWOOD - One bad quarter did in the Ironwood girls basketball team as they fell to the Mercer Tigers 60-47 in Indianhead Conference action at the John Krznarich Gym on Friday night.

"They out-scored us 16-4 in the third quarter," Ironwood coach Tim Routheaux said. "We got in a little foul trouble and they have Lexi (Engler) who has played for four years and can go inside and (Shania) St. Germaine who shot four 3s from the outside. They lit us up in both games.

"We're young and we're taking our bumps and bruises now. But we have to keep remembering we are freshmen and first year players. We're very young and make a lot of mistakes. But we're battling and still learning. We had fewer turnovers than we've had all year. We scored 47 points today and every stat is up. We're giving up fewer points and the games are closer and tighter."

In the first quarter, Ironwood was the aggressor and getting after things. Emily DiGiorgio drilled a top-of-the-key 3 early in the quarter and Mercer's Shania St. Germaine quickly followed with a triple from the right side.

DiGiorgio and Lauren Gauthier helped Ironwood win first quarter 14-9.

Solveig Vik started the second quarter with a put-back of an Engler shot and then was fouled in the lane and made two free throws. Later, Engler made a falling-down, put-back shot that got Mercer to within 16-14.

Engler followed with a 3 the old-fashioned way to give the Tigers the lead at 17-16 and Taylor Wolfe was next with a deep 3 from the left side.

Mercer out-scored Ironwood 19-11 in the quarter and took a 28-25 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Ironwood had trouble hitting their outside shots and Mercer would build up a big rebound edge.

Mercer scored 16 points in the quarter, which was highlighted by St. Germaine draining two triples from nearly the same spot only seconds apart.

Ironwood scored four points, but would have only scored one point in the quarter if not for a 3-ball from Makenzie Marshall.

Mercer went up 44-29 at the end of three quarters.

"This was one of our best games all year," Mercer coach Shannon Hiller said. "To be honest, our team has struggled at times this year, but we were patient and whittled away at Ironwood's lead. We put a great third quarter together. Early in the season, Shania was not taking a lot of shots, but she was making a lot today. (She made four 3-pointers). And not one girl can defend Lexi.

"Ironwood is very much improved. They played us much better the second time around. Emily (DiGiorgio) has really developed into such a nice player. Tell me she's a senior and not a junior."

Mercer and Ironwood both scored 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Engler led Mercer's attack with 20 points, while St. Germaine followed with 15.

DiGiorgio was the top gun for the Red Devils with 20 points.

Mercer was 21-44 shooting (47 percent), while Ironwood hit 18-43 shots. (41 percent).

Mercer (10-5, 7-2 IC) hosts Hurley in another conference game on Monday at 5:45 p.m.

The Red Devils (5-9, 4-9 IC) are at home against Bessemer in an Indianhead Conference battle on Monday at 7:15.

Mercer - Ava Losh 2, Caitlyn Hiller 4, Gwen Allen 2, Lexi Engler 20, Shania St. Germaine 15, Sydney Thompson 6, Taylor Wolfe 5, Solveig Vik 6. FTs: 13-27, Fouls: 13, Fouled out: none, 3-pointers; St. Germaine 4, Wolfe1

Ironwood - Taylor Mylly 5, Rachel Hudacek 3, Kacie Lundin 3, Lauren Gauthier 9, Erin Halvorson 2, Emily DiGiorgio 20.. FTs: 8-12, Fouls: 19, Fouled out: none 3-pointers: Gauthier, Taylor, Lundin, DiGiorgio.

Mercer 9 28 44 60

Ironwood 14 25 29 47