IRONWOOD — The Bay College Norse men’s basketball team (5-2) spoiled the night in which the Gogebic Community College Samsons (4-2) named their homecourt after longtime coach Dennis Mackey by defeating the Samsons 86-79.

Dennis Mackey has coached both men’s and women’s basketball at Gogebic for 37 years, and has been asked to serve in many other roles as well, including athletic director for multiple stints and as an instructor on campus. Coach Mackey has compiled a 502-465 record during his time with the Samsons. Friends, family, and former players gathered in the Lindquist Center on campus for a ceremony before Tuesday’s game as the playing surface was renamed as “Coach Mackey Court”.

“It’s overwhelming,” Mackey told Jack Hall of RRN Sports. “Very humbling. I’m obviously very honored to have my name on the court.

“But at the same time, it’s more than just me,” he added. “It’s the program. It’s my family. It’s everybody who’s helped me to get to where I am right now. And quite frankly, it’s about our players. I’m proud to be at Gogebic and I’m proud of what we’ve produced. One a Samson, always a Samson. That’s [written] on the floor. I’m excited about it. I’m just very grateful for the honor.”

Despite the heartwarming and emotional ceremony for a great coach with longevity, the Norse were not in Ironwood for sentimental reasons. They took the lead early and led throughout the contest.

Bay’s offense came out with an efficient attack, connecting on 62.5% of their shots in the first half. It led to the Norse holding a double-digit lead throughout much of the first half.

The Samsons managed to keep themselves in striking distance however. They relied on the deep ball to do so, making seven of 13 from behind the three-point arc in the first half. Despite the excellent shooting performance by the Norse, they would only lead by eight at the break, as the score stood at 45-37 at halftime.

Bay started the second half off with more of the same and looked to be taking control of the contest. Tre Saniger (FR, Superior, Wis.) and Nic Williams (SO, La Crosse, Wis.) make three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to cap off a 20-8 run by the visiting team. That gave the Norse their biggest lead of the night, a 20-point advantage, with 15 minutes to play.

Gogebic started to turn the tide in the next stretch, however.

A Norse cold streak in which they would not convert a shot from the field over the next five minutes gave the Samsons an 11-1 run to cut the lead in half.

Saniger ended the drought on the next possession with another triple, and a steal resulted in a pair of free throws on the next possession for Bay. Zavier Hayes (FR, Richfield, Minn.) connected on a three, and the Norse found themselves up by 19 with just under eight minutes to play.

The Samsons had one last gasp and shot the ball well down the stretch. Four different players hit three-pointers in the final minutes. Bay was able to answer, as D’Marco Chelley (FR, St. Paul, Minn.) had a layup and put down a dunk, Parker Fahning (FR, Eden Prairie, Minn.) finished at the rim, and Williams hit a jumper and a three.

In the end, Gogebic closed the gap, but time ran out on their comeback attempt as the Norse took the game and swept the season series.

Williams led all scorers and shot the ball incredibly well for Bay. He was 11 of 14 overall, including four of five from three on his way to 27 points and three assists. Chelley added 13 points and four steals. Joe Ofori (SO, Shakopee, Minn.) was just shy of a double-double, ending with nine points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

William Kelley, a 2024 Florence County High School graduate, grabbed two rebounds in seven minutes of action.

X’Zavion McCoy (FR, Ocala, Fla.) had a good night for the Samsons, scoring 23 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and had six assists, and three steals. Cori Johnson (SO, Ocala, Fla.) had 15 points and five assists, while Enrique Moreno-Bautista (FR, Clearwater, Fla.) finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Kaden Vardon (FR, Algoma, Wis.) had ten points.

The Norse will be on the road next as they travel to Milwaukee to take on Bryant and Stratton on Wednesday, December 4.

The game at Mount Mary University will tip at 8:30 p.m.