By LARRY HOLCOMBE

Daily Globe Sports Editor

IRONWOOD -- Gogebic Community College sophomores Kristen Ruppe, Nichole Mazurek and Janey Routheaux have been leading the Lady Samsons in scoring all season, so it seemed only right for them to combine for all nine GCC points in overtime in a 77-74 win over Mesabi Range CC here Saturday.

Routheaux came alive in the second half, scoring all 17 of her points.

"Janey had a phenomenal second half," said GCC coach Dennis Mackey. "She started penetrating. She got a couple shots to go and they started having to pay attention to her. That opened up the rest of our offense a bit, as well. She made some nice assists."

Mackey also praised the play of his two leading forwards -- Ruppe (28 points) and Mazurek (19 points).

"Kristen's been our go-to person all year. She just keeps battling," said Mackey. "Sometimes she's too unselfish and wants to give the ball up in the post when she should take the shot.

"Nichole is the same way. They like to work together in there, but sometimes we might do it a little too much."

GCC led 32-30 at half. As Routheaux went on her tear, Mesabi countered with Nicole Switzer, who had 15 of her 23 points in the second half to keep the Lady Norse in the game.

Ruppe picked up her fourth foul with 7:00 left and Mesabi's Ellyssa Holst sank two free throws to put the Norse up 58-51.

GCC needed a spark and Routheaux was there. Fouled on a 3-point attempt, she made all three from the line to begin a 9-0 run that included fast break baskets by Ruppe and Carly Levra.

The Lady Norse answered again. Switzer's fifth trey put Mesabi up 65-60 with just over 3:00 left.

Back came Routheaux, as she scored the Lady Samsons' final eight points in regulation, slashing through the lane and hitting free throws.

Trailing 68-65, Mesabi had one last possession with six seconds remaining. Switzer was covered, but Ashley St. Arnold (18 points) canned an open 3-pointer from the top of the key that beat the buzzer.

Mazurek opened OT with two quick buckets, but Mesabi battled back to tie it at 72-72 with 2:00 left on a jumper by Switzer.

Ruppe hit a turnaround jumper in the lane to put GCC up 76-74 with 1:00 left. The teams traded misses before Routheaux went back to the line with six seconds remaining. She hit the first, missed the second and the Lady Norse had one more shot to tie it.

Again, Switzer was covered but St. Arnold was open. Her three attempt was online, but just short.

"We survived," said Mackey. "Sometimes you win games like this and sometimes you lose them. We had them on the ropes early, but kind of struggled after that. Give Mesabi credit. They worked the ball well against our defense and made some great shots."

Gogebic shot 27-59 for 46 percent, while Mesabi was 26-65 for 40 percent. The Lady Norse won the rebounding battle 37-30.

The Lady Samsons (12-7) have rewritten their schedule for the upcoming week. The UW-Barron County and Mid-State Tech games scheduled for tonight and Thursday have been canceled. Those schools have dropped their women's teams.

GCC has added a home game on Saturday against Finlandia University's junior varsity at 11 a.m.

Mesabi Range CC -- Ashley St. Arnold 5 1 5 3-18, Nichole Switzer 4 5 0 4-23, Ellissa Holst 5 0 8 2-18, Shamekia Harrel 0 0 1 3-1, Laura Vake 4 0 2 3-10, Liz Switzer 2 0 0 4-4, Jackie Gomes 0 0 0 4-0. Totals: 20 6 16-23 23 74.

Gogebic CC -- Nicole Rosga 1 0 0 2-2, Janey Routheaux 5 0 7 4-17, Nichole Mazurek 5 2 3 2-19, Samantha Ervin 0 0 0 1-0, Allison Coss 0 2 0 0-6, Andrea Harrington 0 0 0 0-0, Kristen Ruppe 11 0 6 4-28, Megan Tucker 0 0 0 1-0, Carly Levra 1 0 3 2-5. Totals: 23 4 19-26 16 77.

Half: 32-30 GCC. End of regulation: 68-68.