ELY- The Timberwolves were outsized as they fell to Deer River 59-73 on Tuesday night.
Ely played well in stretches but a letdown late in the first half allowed the Warriors to take a 14-point lead into the break. Deer River extended that lead to as much as 25 points in the second half before a late Ely surge trimmed the final to a respectable 13-point gap.
“Deer River was just too big and athletic for us tonight. We played well at times, but not good enough to get it done,” said Head Coach Tom McDonald.
Joey Bianco scored 20 points, adding nine rebounds and five assists for Ely. Will Davies had 18 points and five rebounds, while Brock Latourell added 11 points.
In action last Friday, the Wolves lost a heartbreaker in Eveleth as the Golden Bears slipped past them, 72-70 in a fast-paced match-up that marred Ely’s previously undefeated record.
Ely had a comfortable 12-point lead midway through the first half, but the Golden Bears clawed back and cut it to one before heading to the locker room. The two teams traded leads throughout the second half, turning the contest into a real barnburner down the stretch.
“We had a hard time controlling their 6’6” center. We battled him, but just struggled to match up with him,” McDonald said.
The Timberwolves tied up the game with eight seconds left on the clock with a three-point basket by Emmett Faltesek. The Golden Bears drove down the floor and airballed a three-point attempt, but it went right into another player’s hands who put it in as the buzzer sounded.
Ely could have avoided the late disappointment as they struggled from the free-throw line all night, connecting on just 13 of 34 attempts.
“Our inability to hit free throws the entire game really hurt us. It was a tough loss, but we fought hard,” said McDonald.
Will Davies had a stellar night, leading the Wolves with 27 points and five steals. Joey Bianco, another force for Ely, had a well-rounded game ending with 18 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Harry Simons had ten points and five rebounds.
The Timberwolves will take on Mesabi East at home on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:15 pm.