STAMBAUGH — In a defensive battle, West Iron County topped Iron Mountain 34-28 in West PAC girls basketball Tuesday at Charles Greenlund Gymnasium.

“We had a hard time putting the ball in the hoop tonight, only shooting 26 percent from the floor,” said Wykons head coach Eric Shamion. “Credit Iron Mountain for their defensive effort on the night.”

Mountaineers head coach Katelynn Grenier was pleased with her team’s effort, despite the loss.

“I saw improvement on defense tonight, especially on Emily Nelson, trying to limit her near the basket,” she said. “Tori Sorensen did an excellent job guarding Nelson, the whole game.”

WIC led 22-12 at the half and were then outscored 16-12 in the second half.

“Our offense was sluggish tonight, we need to pick up the pace and set better picks,” Grenier said. “We also need to rebound better, defensively especially. We gave them way to many second and third chance shots.”

The Wykons (3-0, 2-0) host Calumet on Thursday, while the Mountaineers (0-2) travel to Gwinn on Friday for their Mid Peninsula Conference opening game.

The JV game was won by IM 42 -20. Emma Ellis scored a game high 20 points for IM, with Chloe Maycroft chipping in 14. Callie Bianco added 11 for the Mountaineers.

Iron Mountain 5 7 11 5 — 28

West Iron 13 9 8 4 — 34

IRON MOUNTAIN: Mongrain 7, Lundholm 15, Runsat 2, Bianco 2, Sorensen 2. Ft: 1-2.

WEST IRON COUNTY: Malmquist 9, Bociek 3, Nelson 13, Grubs 1. Ft: 1-6.