Iron Mountain freshman Olivia Geneva (11) puts up a one handed shot over Bark River-Harris sophomore Emma Zawada (14) on Thursday in Mountaineer Gym. (Terry Raiche photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The free-throw line was the deciding factor when the Bark River-Harris and Iron Mountain girls varsity basketball teams faced off in December.

It also played a role in Thursday’s Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 District 66 semifinal in Mountaineer Gym.

However, the Mountaineers (7-16, 1-11) hit their shots this time. As a result, they cruised to a 57-39 win over the Broncos (9-15, 4-4).

“We played hard and the girls wanted it,” IM head coach Chad Lindeman said. “They said it before the game, and Gerilis Sampoll-Torres came to play tonight. She showed up and hit the free throws.”

In the first meeting, the Mountaineers missed 19 free throws in a row but managed to secure a 58-50 win over Bark River-Harris. But Thursday’s version of the Broncos had a different feel as senior Marissa Ives was out due to injury.

“Obviously, It hurts us a lot,” BR-H head coach Paige Welch said. “She was our main ball handler, a great defender and a huge part of our energy on the floor. We needed more of all three of those things tonight.

“My heart broke a little when I realized her injury wasn’t just a short-term ankle tweak. But I am proud of my girls who have stepped up and did what they could to adjust their roles.”

Both teams struggled to connect on shots in the game’s first three minutes, but Broncos sophomore Emma Zawada broke through. She connected on a free throw to open the scoring, and senior Hope Varoni added a layup to put them ahead 3-0.

Iron Mountain senior Macy Linsenbigler buried two free throws shortly after to cut the deficit to one. However, its offense looked out of sync, forcing Lindeman to call a timeout.

“All week, we worked on cutting hard,” Lindeman said. “When you go to set a pick, you’ve got to sprint to set that pick, then you’ve got to cut hard, and we weren’t doing that. We were kind of going through the motions.

“So, I had to get a little heated, and it woke them up. We started running things better, and we got into a rhythm.”

The Mountaineers outscored Bark River-Harris 7-2 to close the first quarter with a four-point lead.

The Broncos came out firing in the second, connecting on two 3-pointers and tallying 10 total points in the frame. But Iron Mountain sophomore Alysia Wood had an answer. She scored six points while senior Gerilis Sampoll-Torres added a three and it led 24-15 at halftime.

Iron Mountain dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Broncos 16-8. Linsenbigler led the way with five points, while Wood added three.

Backed into a corner, Bark River-Harris came out firing in the fourth. It went on a 16-5 run behind four 3-pointers from Zawada. However, the Mountaineers didn’t panic.

“Emma Zawada caught fire,” Lindeman said. “We called a timeout and readjusted.

“Bella (Pickett) got out on her and closed her down for the rest of the game. But that was a great shooting performance from her. She hit three in a row; that was huge.”

Led by senior Pickett, the Mountaineers turned up the defensive pressure and silenced Bark River down the stretch, forcing the Broncos to foul.

Sampoll-Torres connected on 7-of-11 shots from the charity stripe to seal the game.

“Our turnovers were definitely the biggest component of our loss tonight,” Welch said. “You just can’t turn the ball over like we did and expect to pull off a win.”

The loss means the end of the career for the Broncos’ six seniors — Ives, Varoni, Jillian Koch, Lexi Hoffmeyer, Danica Peterson and Alayna Lippens.

“The worst part about losing these six seniors is not having their personalities around anymore,” Welch said. “They are great human beings – raised by wonderful families, National Honor Society members, multi-sport athletes, band members, so they are just a big part of our school and community in general.

“I wish I could have them for a few more years, that’s for sure.”

Iron Mountain had three scorers in double figures, something it has been aiming for all year.

“It’s been our goal for the whole season,” Lindeman said. “But we haven’t had it if we peak right now, fantastic.”

Sampoll-Torres led the Mountaineers with 17 points.

Iron Mountain received contributions from Pickett (4 points), Olivia Geneva (6 points), Ava Marttila (3 points), Wood (14 points) and Linsenbigler (13 points).

Zawada led all scorers in the contest with 18 points.

Bark River also received offensive contributions from Shaylyn Porath (1 point), Varoni (4 points), Melinah Cortez (2 points), Callie Flagstadt (4 points), Peterson (2 points) and Julia Nault (8 points).

The Mountaineers faced off with Menominee today in the District 66 final at 6 p.m.

“I think it’s going to be an advantage for us to get Macy out running on that big floor, and let her go,” Lindeman said. “Hopefully, we can take care of the ball and take care of business.

“It would be fantastic to win. I don’t want it so much for me. I want it for the girls. I want it for these seniors who started with me as freshmen. I want it for them. And I think they want it too.”