ISHPEMING – Brayden Kassin scored 23 of his 33 points in the second half to lead Iron Mountain to a 71-59 victory over host Ishpeming in a nonconference clash Friday.

The Mountaineers (8-7) held a 23-22 lead at halftime but sped past the Hematites in the third quarter with a 21-9 run that left IM up 44-31 heading down the stretch.

The two teams lit up offensively in the fourth quarter with Ishpeming (7-6) outscoring the Mountaineers 29-27, but IM kept its distance as Kassin sank 8 of 10 free throws in the final period.

“Brayden Kassin had a heck of a game for us,” IM coach Kyle Johnson said. “He made shots when we needed him to and hit his free throws late in the game.

Kassin had significant offensive help from Charles Baldridge, 16 points, Lane Wender, 10, and Charles Anderson, seven.

Baldridge recorded seven of his points during the key third-quarter run.

“That was a nice win for us,” Johnson said. “We executed offensively and had nice contributions from Lane Wender, Charles Anderson and Charles Baldridge.

“We were able to make a run in the third quarter to separate ourselves.”

John Wheeler topped the Hematites with 26 points and Grady Gauthier added 13.

“Ishpeming is well coached and they play hard so we knew they would make a push in the fourth,” Johnson said.

IRON MOUNTAIN – Kassin 9 12-15 33, Doty 1 1-1 3, Sgrecci 1 0-0 2, Wender 3 2-2 10, Anderson 3 1-2 7, Baldridge 7 1-2 16. Totals: 24 17-22 71. 3-point field goals: 6 (Kassin 3, Wender 1, Baldridge).

ISHPEMING – C. Gauthier 4 4-5 13, Gleason 1 0-0 3, Ambuehl 2 1-2 6, K. Gauthier 4 0-1 9, Bancroft 1 0-0 2, Wheeler 8 9-10 26. Totals: 20 14-18 59. 3-point field goals: 5 (C. Gauthier, Gleason, Ambuehl, K. Gauthier, Wheeler).

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Compiled by Daily News sports correspondent Jerry DeRoche.