This marked the first regional title in two decades for the No. 2 Panthers, who face No. 1 St. Ignace in a state quarterfinal contest Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern time at Gladstone. The Knights, who overcame a 0-5 start, finished 16-10.

“They played very well,” E-TC coach Jacky Besonen said. “Their outside shooting kept them in the game. We moved the ball well against their 1-2-2 zone and hit some good shots in the end.”

Norway got within 42-41 on a 20-foot jump shot from the left wing by junior center Paytan Carlson midway through the fourth quarter.

An 11-0 run by E-TC put the game out of reach, gaining a 53-41 advantage on a free throw by junior center Irelynd McGeshick with slightly more than a minute remaining.

Lauren Adams drives inside the 3-point arc while guarded by Ewen-Trout Creek’s Bree Besonen. (Cara Kamps photo)

“We turned a lot of our defense into offense,” E-TC freshman guard Bree Besonen said. “We got real solid which gave us confidence down the stretch. Norway looked a little tired in the end, although they played real well. They knocked down a lot of shots. St. Ignace, for sure will be a tough game, but we’re glad to have a chance to play them.”

The Knights got the start they wanted, gaining a 12-4 lead on a running jumper from the lane by junior guard Lauren Adams with 1:50 left in the opening frame.

Bree Besonen drained a pair of free throws to bring the Panthers within 12-6.

A steal and layup at the buzzer by Adams gave Norway a 14-6 cushion and Carlson’s jumper from top of the key made it 17-6 early in the second stanza.

The Knights held a 19-10 lead following senior Mary Cavagnetto’s jumper from the boulevard with 4:40 remaining in the second.

(Sean Chase/Daily News photo) The Norway girls varsity basketball team poses with the MHSAA Division 4 regional title trophy after their win over North Dickinson in the Carl F. Lemin Gymnasium on March 7. From left are Ella Wojtowicz, Jordan Moln, Payton Paquette, Ashley Carlson, Jessa Rossler, Mary Cavagnetto, Abby Richter, Lauren Adams, Anna Falk, Kara Stanchina, Lila Kleikamp and Paytan Carlson.

E-TC answered with a 9-0 run, tying the score on a layup by McGeshick with 2:40 left in the second.

The score was tied at 21 with 45 seconds left in the second quarter when Carlson sank a jumper from top of the key to put Norway ahead 24-21.

Norway led 29-23 early in the third before E-TC rallied to tie the score at 32 on a lay-in by Bree Besonen with 1:48 remaining in that quarter.

The teams see-sawed through the remainder of the third before freshman center McKayla Basel hit a 6-foot set shot on a pass from junior Emma Besonen, giving the Panthers a 36-35 lead.

Norway took its last lead on a running 5-foot jumper by Adams and free throw by Cavagnetto early in the fourth.

Bree Besonen’s 18-foot jumper tied the contest at 38. Emma Besonen added a field goal and Bree sank a pair of gifters to send the Panthers ahead 42-38.

“Emma got a steal and hit a big layup (late in the fourth) which I think may have taken the wind out of their sails,” coach Besonen said. “I’m just real proud of the girls. We know St. Ignace has a great basketball program. We’re just glad to get the opportunity to play them.”

Bree Besonen finished with 25 points and Emma Besonen had 11 for the Panthers, who hit 12-of-15 free throws and committed 10 turnovers.

Carlson sank five 3-point shots and scored 17 points and Adams hit 15 for Norway. The Knights had 13 miscues.

Norway 14 10 11 9 — 44

Ewen-TC 6 15 15 18 — 54

Norway — Richter 6, Adams 15, Cavagnetto 3, Rossier 3, Carlson 17. FT: 3-4; F: 13; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Carlson 5, Richter 2, Adams, Rossler

Ewen-Trout Creek — B. Besonen 25, E. Besonen 11, Ferguson 2, Basel 8, McGeshick 8. FT: 12-15; F: 6; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: B. Besonen 2