By JASON JUNO

Globe Staff Writer

IRONWOOD -- Six sophomore women wrapped up their final regular season home game with a win, 82-62, over Northland Baptist Bible College Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Samsons host the Region 13 Tournament Feb. 27-28 and the regular season is not over, yet, as two road games remain.

All of the sophomores played well. GCC coach Dennis Mackey called time out with less than a minute left so his sophomores could have a curtain call.

Kristen Ruppe scored 20 points. Fellow 2003 Luther L. Wright graduates Janey Routheaux and Nicole Rosga each had four. Leslie Haapoja, of Bessemer, scored nine points. Andrea Harrington, of Hurley, had 11. Her classmate at Hurley, Nichole Mazurek, finished with 10.

"It was a good, solid team effort," Mackey said. "That first half was about the best that we've played all year."

The Lady Samsons jumped out to a big lead, but the Lady Pioneers charged right back into the game with tough defensive pressure.

GCC kept running and by the end of the first half, it was evident the Pioneers were tiring and Gogebic would be able to put it away. It was 48-25 at the half.

The Lady Pioneers had one more run in the second half. Mackey said GCC was flat at times after a great first half.

Mackey said the Lady Samsons shared the ball and the defense played well.

Last year, Lynnea Salscheider scored 40 points, he said. Saturday, she had just 16. Mackey said he knew the offense went through her and his team did well on her.

Ruppe blocked five shots.

GCC had 28 points off turnovers and 30 points in the paint. They also got 17 points off the bench.

GCC heads to Hancock to play Finlandia University Wednesday. The Lady Samsons are at Mesabi Community College in Virginia, Minn. Saturday.

Mackey said the games will be good for conditioning for the tournament.

He hopes the energy the team had Saturday continues in the remaining games, especially on the road, with fewer fans.

"We've got some work to do and obviously the next two weeks are important," Mackey said.

Northland Baptist -- Sara Denny 1 1 1 0-6, Jen Suderman 1 1 0 1-5, Julie Hallberg 1 0 0 1-2, Lynnea Salscheider 5 1 3 1-16, Heidi Spencer 1 0 2 2-4, Melissa Thacker 0 0 0 1-0, Cindy Posey 0 1 0 1-3, Michelle Stinson 0 0 0 1-0, Charity Rybak 0 0 0 0-0, Klarissa Snow 2 0 0 3-4, Rachel Thomas 3 3 1 1-16, Amanda Carson 2 0 1 1-4, Nola Wentzel 1 0 0 0-2. Totals: 17 7 7-12 14 62.

Gogebic CC -- Leslie Haapoja 3 1 0 1-9, Nicole Rosga 2 0 0 3-4, Janey Routheaux 2 0 0 1-4, Nichole Mazurek 3 1 1 2-10, Sammi Ervin 2 1 0 1-7, Allison Coss 1 0 0 0-2, Andrea Harrington 2 2 1 4-11, Kristen Ruppe 8 0 4 2-20, Megan Tucker 1 2 0 0 1-8, Carly Levra 3 0 1 1-7. Totals: 27 7 7-12 15 82.

Half: GCC 48-25.