GLADSTONE — Iron Mountain junior forward Macy Linsenbigler scored 23 points, but the Mountaineers couldn’t overcome some offensive struggles in the middle quarters in their 41-35 nonconference road setback to Division 1-3 fifth-ranked Gladstone Thursday evening.

“We didn’t get the win tonight, but we had a lot of success within the game,” IM coach Karen Ellis said.

“Linsenbigler did a great job getting to the hoop tonight and Gerilis (Sampoll Torres) and Alysia (Wood) did a great job of finding her inside.”

Linsenbigler sparked her team in the first quarter with seven points as the Mountaineers (6-15) grabbed a 9-8 lead heading into the second.

After recording eight points in the opening period, Gladstone star sophomore Lillie Johnson put up seven more in the second quarter and four more in the third to lead her team to a 29-22 advantage entering the fourth.

No other Mountaineer was able to score consistently in the game, so when Linsenbigler didn’t score in the third, the Braves (13-7) built a cushion.

Linsenbigler exploded for 12 points in the fourth, but Gladstone fought off the Mountaineers for the victory.

As she usually is, Johnson was the big factor in the game for the Braves, who were missing junior starter Tia Schone and senior Addie Trombley due to injuries. The 6-foot Johnson scored 28 points and made an impact defensively as well.

“Lillie Johnson gave us trouble, not just with her moves to the basket, but her defense with her length rattled our offense,” Ellis said.

Other scorers for IM included Emily Copley with four, Bella Pickett and Ashlyn Bal with three each and Wood with two.

The Mountaineers finish their regular season Tuesday, Feb. 27 when they host potential Division 3 district foe Calumet (11-9).

BRONCOS 60, LADY TROJANS 20

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Division 1-3 second-ranked Bark River-Harris Broncos ran out to a 51-14 lead at halftime en route to a 60-20 victory over Forest Park in a Skyline Central Conference game at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium.

Senior Mckenzie Hoffmeyer scored 20 points to help the Broncos (19-1) win their 17th straight game. Bark River-Harris suffered its only defeat this season to Menominee on Dec. 11.

Forest Park stayed within 17-7 after the first quarter, but things got away from the Lady Trojans in the second when the Broncos went on a 34-7 run.

Dalaney Wagner led FP with eight points, while Vienna Price recorded six, Elsie Williams totaled five and Kaidince Woollard hit a free throw.

The Lady Trojans (7-13) wind up their regular season Tuesday, Feb. 27 when they travel to North Central (3-16).

RED DEVILS 59, WYKONS 52

IRONWOOD — The West Iron County Wykons girls basketball team entered Thursday night’s game at Ironwood having won five of its last six. But that run of solid play ended in a 59-52 nonconference loss to the Red Devils.

“Disappointing loss,” WIC coach Eric Shamion said. “We have been playing some good basketball as of late, but Ironwood was a step quicker than us all night.”

Behind nine points from leading scorer Jaelyn Novascone, the Red Devils (15-6) grabbed a 16-11 lead after eight minutes. The Wykons (10-11) crept to within 26-23 at the break and stayed close in the second half but could never get over the hump.

Danica Shamion carried West Iron offensively with 29 points. The senior drove to the hoop against the Red Devil zone defense for 10 buckets inside the 3-point arc. She also sank two triples and connected on 2 of 3 free throws.

Kaitlyn Smith and Lacey Shamion finished with six points each for West Iron, while Seanna Stine scored five, Julia Swenski recorded four and Rowyn Fiszer added two.

Novascone topped Ironwood with 24.

The Wykons wrap up their regular season Tuesday, Feb. 27 with a trip to Hancock to face the Bulldogs, who were 8-10 prior to Friday night’s game at L’Anse.

Daily News sports writer Jerry DeRoche compiled this report.