VIRGINIA, Minn. -- It took four overtimes, but the Mesabi Range Community College Lady Norse outlasted Gogebic Community College 95-90 here Saturday.

With two 20-minute halves and four five-minute overtimes, the game lasted over three hours, and it was entertaining the whole way, according to GCC coach Dennis Mackey.

"To say this was an evenly played game is obvious," said Mackey. "We just defeated Mesabi at home 77-74 in overtime in January. For some reason, our teams mirror one another. To be part of two incredible overtime games with each other will be something all the players and coaches will remember. It was only fitting that we split the outcomes."

The Lady Samsons had six players in double figures, but three fouled out. For the Lady Norse, four women hit double figures and two fouled out.

The score wasn't the only close statistic. Both teams had 48 rebounds. Mesabi had more assists, 20-18, but also had more turnovers, 26-22.

The GCC women started fast, claiming a 27-15 lead with six minutes left in the first half. Mesabi kept it close by narrowing the margin to 33-27 at the halftime. GCC was able to get Kristen Ruppe (11 points) and Carly Levra (nine points) some great looks and did a great job of defending Mesabi 3-point shooting star Nicole Switzer in the first half. Levra, Nicole Rosga and Janey Routheaux took turns guarding Switzer.

Switzer and the Lady Norse warmed up as they built a 56-49 lead with about 10 minutes left in regulation. GCC responded to lead 70-69 in the final minute of regulation on two Ruppe free throws. Switzer split a late pair of free throws to send it into OT.

"The overtime action was incredible. There were bad plays, good plays, great plays, but exciting plays by everyone," said Mackey. "There should be no losers. What a tremendous effort put forth by the players on both teams. The game was incredible to be a part of. Everyone in that gym was excited by the end."

GCC played the game short-handed, with Nichole Mazurek out because of illness. "We missed Nichole. She's a great player. But like I told the girls before the game, not having one player creates opportunities for others," said Mackey.

"Carly started and did a great job. Rosga played great. Janey was a warrior. Alli (Coss) had her highest scoring output (16 points), Leslie (Haapoja) handled the ball well, Meg (Tusker) and Sammi (Ervin) helped big time, and Andrea (Harrington) played with high energy throughout. Now we need to build on this kind of effort for the tournament."

GCC (13-10) will host the NJCAA Division II Region 13 tourney Sunday and Monday. The Lady Samsons host the University of North Dakota-Bottineau in a semifinal on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. The winner advances to Monday's championship game at 5:30 versus either Bismarck (N.D.) State or United Tribes (Sunday at 1:30).

GCC -- Leslie Haapoja 0 1 2 5-5, Nicole Rosga 5 0 1 4-11, Janey Routheaux 3 0 3 4-11, Samantha Ervin 0 0 0 0-0, Allison Coss 4 1 5 1-16, Andrea Harrington 2 2 0 4-10, Kristen Ruppe 9 0 5 5-23, Megan Tucker 0 1 0 2-3, Carly Levra 4 0 3 5-11. Totals: 27 5 21-34 30 90.

Mesabi Range CC -- Brook Walker 2 0 0 5-4, Ashley St. Arnold 3 0 10 4-16, Nicole Switzer 5 6 8 5-36, Elissa Holst 7 0 9 4-23, Shamekia Harrel 0 0 0 0-0, Laura Vake 2 0 2 3-6, Liz Switzer 4 0 2 3-10, Jackie Gomes 0 0 0 1-0. Totals: 23 6 21-31 25 95.

1st Half 2nd Half 1OT 2OT 3OT Final

Gogebic 33 65 70 77 82 90

Mesabi 27 65 70 77 82 95