Ely’s high school boys basketball team survived a scare and then had more of a breather in back-to-back home games.
The Timberwolves picked up their 15th and 16th wins of the season downing Littlefork-Big Falls 74-69 and Lake of the Woods 89-49 in Feb. 5 and 6 matchups in Ely.
Littlefork-Big Falls gave the Wolves quite a battle, and it took a late threepoint basket from senior Jack Davies which extended a two-point lead to five with under two minutes left - to finally seal matters.
The game was tied at the half and featured a handful of lead changes.
“It was a tight game throughout and we pulled away late with some defensive stops and we hit some free throws to ice the game,” said Ely Head Coach Tom McDonald.
Davies, the program’s all-time leading scorer, poured in 26 points with nine assists and fellow senior Drew Johnson was right behind with 25 points and nine rebounds.
Wyatt Tedrick also reached double digits with 10 points and sophomore center Arturo Cameron had a big night underneath, securing 15 rebounds.
The Wolves also warmed up from the outside in the second stanza.
“We struggled in the first half shooting threes as we were four-for-20 but we were seven-for-14 in the second half,” said McDonald.
The next night, Lake of the Woods stayed close for a half but Ely ramped up the pressure in the second half, held the Bears to only 17 points and ran away with the nonconference victory.
Ely’s “big three” of Davies, Johnson and Tedrick combined for 64 of the team’s 89 points, with Davies netting 29, Tedrick 18 and Johnson 17.
Davies dished seven assists, as did Johnson, and Tedrick was a rebound shy of a double-double.
The Wolves tangled with Chisholm Thursday after deadline and have a home rematch with section contender Mt. Iron-Buhl on Tuesday.
