ESCANABA — The Bay College women’s basketball team pulled away in the second half to get back in the win column by defeating Gogebic Community College by a final score of 86-55 on Wednesday night.

The Norse (2-3) looked to be in control early on as they employed their full court pressure on the visiting Samsons (0-6), creating eight turnovers in the first quarter. It allowed Bay to go on multiple runs in the opening frame, but Gogebic was able to close the gap after the Norse opened up a seven-point lead. A Lauren Zawada (FR, Bark River) layup, followed by a steal by Brooklyn Phillips (SO, Peshtigo, Wis.) led to a Kadie Kaukola (FR, Ishpeming) three-pointer to close out the first quarter with a 23-15 lead.

Both teams struggled shooting in the second quarter, with both teams making just over 25% of their shots from the floor. Bay was able to keep their guests behind by multiple scores and held a seven-point lead at intermission.

Early in the third quarter Bay got a pair of layups on consecutive possessions from Anna Axtell (FR. Menominee) to take an eight-point lead, but the offense went cold from there. Fortunately for them, their defense continued to hold off the Samsons, but the Norse missed a golden opportunity to break the game open as they would get just a pair of free throws over a stretch of five minutes of play.

A steal by Kaukola led to a Kennedy Sproule (SO, Niverville, MB, Canada) layup that gave Bay a 46-39 lead, but Gogebic would respond. A free throw and a stop made it just a four-point game late in the third.

The Norse finally found a way to break through.

A 15-0 run that went through the end of the third quarter and into the fourth gave Bay a demanding 63-44 lead that took away any chances the Samsons had at making it a game again. Bay shot 59.1% from the floor in the fourth, and the Samsons faltered from the charity stripe, hitting just two of ten attempts in the final frame. That allowed Bay to run away with the game, winning by 31 points.

Bay picked up major advantages in the game on the boards and with their defensive pressure. They outrebounded the Samsons 48-33, including grabbing 20 offensive rebounds. They also created 22 turnovers.

The Norse will be on the road in a neutral site contest on Saturday. They will face Lake Region State College at Hamline University in a non-conference matchup.

That game will tip at 2 p.m.