ESCANABA — The No. 24 Bay College men’s basketball team (3-2) held off the upset-minded Gogebic Community College Samsons (2-1) on its home court Wednesday evening by a score of 86-79.

The Norse looked to be pulling away midway through the first half when Connor Coduti (FR, Menominee) drilled a three-point shot to put Bay up 22-13. A few possessions later Nic Williams (SO, La Crosse, Wis.) finished at the rim for a double-digit lead and Josh Williams (SO, Connorsville, Ind.) hit a basket to put the Norse up by twelve. A Ryan Sweeney (SO, Green Bay, Wis.) three made it 34-20 with just over six minutes left in the half.

After taking a 10-point lead into the locker room at halftime, the Norse got another three-pointer from Coduti to start the second half. A 12-4 Samsons run closed the gap, keeping Gogebic in the match.

The Bay lead would shrink to just one point with just over 13 minutes to play. An 8-0 Norse run gave the home team some room to breathe, and they would eventually build their lead back into double-digits.

The Samsons made one last run. X’Zavion McCoy (FR, Ocala, Fla.) hit a three-pointer with about four minutes left, making the score 74-70 in favor of Bay. The Norse would squash the comeback attempt with three’s from Sweeney and Coduti on consecutive possessions. Williams’ basket with just over a minute to play put Bay up eight, and Zavier Hayes (FR, Richfield, Minn.) hit four of six from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the win for Bay.

Sweeney led all scorers with 26 points on a great night shooting. He hit eight of 11 from the floor, including connecting on all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Coduti hit on four three-pointers to give the Norse 16 points off the bench.

McCoy led the Samsons’ charge with 20 points and seven assists. Bradyn Piper (SO, Merrill, Wis.) added 14 points, while Jalen Browning (FR, Clinton Township) contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.

Florence graduate William Kelley started the game for the Norse. He tallied five points, five rebounds and a steal in 20 minutes of action.

The Norse will take the weekend off before returning to action on Saturday, November 23.

They will take on Lake Region State from North Dakota, but will meet halfway at a neutral site.

The game at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota is set to tip at 4 p.m. EST.