Ellsworth pulls away late against Mackinaw City

ELLSWORTH — Mackinaw City stuck to Ellsworth like a wet towel for much of Thursday’s Northern Lakes Conference boys basketball matchup.

It took until the final stretch of the fourth quarter, but the Lancers finally shook from the Comets to take a 70-57 win.

The Comets provided the Lancers a feisty battle, giving the home team all it could handle. Ellsworth led most of the way but pulling out to a comfortable margin was no easy task as the Comets kept the pressure on the Lancers. The difference came in the last seven minutes. A Richard Adams basket gave Ellsworth a 52-50 lead and sparked an 8-0 burst by the Lancers. But, unlike the other instances in the contest where Ellsworth was able to stake out to a lead only to see Mackinaw City come right back, Ellsworth finally put the Comets away as it outscored Mackinaw City 12-5 over the second part of the final period. Ethan Tornga scored nine of his team-leading 17 points during the game’s last nine minutes. He also pulled down 12 rebounds. Atlas Marlatt chipped in with 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Ellsworth head coach Jarod Steenwyk felt that Mackinaw City’s ability to stick with the Lancers most of the way was in part due to the Comets play as well as some lethargy from his own team.

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