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Timberwolves hold off Huskies

Ely lands a nail-biting finish after struggling to maintain second-half lead at home

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 1/17/19

ELY— A big night for senior guard Pat Vanderbeek helped Ely hold off the Huskies Tuesday night, 64-53. The Timberwolves looked to be headed for an easy win early, as they took a 16-point lead into …

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Timberwolves hold off Huskies

Ely lands a nail-biting finish after struggling to maintain second-half lead at home

Posted

ELY— A big night for senior guard Pat Vanderbeek helped Ely hold off the Huskies Tuesday night, 64-53. The Timberwolves looked to be headed for an easy win early, as they took a 16-point lead into the halftime break, but went cold for several minutes in the second half, allowing Bigfork to get back in the game.

Vanderbeek went ten-for-ten from the charity stripe and added 14 more points from the field on his way to a 24-point night. But Vanderbeek wasn’t the only key to the win, as Will Davies provided a second half spark to end Ely’s mid-period scoring drought. “Davies came into the game and hit two three-point baskets and a two-point basket,” said Ely Head Coach Tom McDonald. “And Vanderbeek’s freethrows in the second half helped to ice the game for us.”

Strong defense proved key to Ely’s win, even as the team’s offensive performance was inconsistent.

Junior forward Dylan Fenske added ten points and eight rebounds for the Wolves, while senior guard Trevor Mattson posted eight boards.

The Bigfork game was a nice recovery after a disappointing 67-52 loss to Nashwauk-Keewatin last Friday. “We never really got on track offensively against them and they defended us very well,” said McDonald. The Wolves shot an anemic 20 of 62 from the floor, contributing to their offensive struggles. “We aren’t going to win many games shooting that poorly,” said McDonald.

Vanderbeek poured in 24 points for Ely, while Fenske posted a double-double, with 18 points and ten rebounds.

Ely will host Mt. Iron-Buhl on Friday and travel to Duluth Marshall on Saturday for a 4 p.m. contest. They’ll visit Fond du Lac on Tuesday, with tip-off set for 7:15 p.m.