EAST LANSING – It’s hard to believe that in the storied history of Muskegon’s athletics program, firsts still can be achieved. 

The Big Reds girls basketball team accomplished another one in Friday’s first Division 1 Semifinal.

For the first time in program history, Muskegon will appear in a championship game following a 69-46 win over a Utica Eisenhower team that was also seeking its first trip to the Finals. 

“A lot of us were emotional after this game,” said senior and Miss Basketball Award runner-up Mariah Sain, who led all scorers with 25 points. “Even though we have one more game to play, we also just made history today. I’m super proud of my team.” 

Senior Camiyah Bonner added 16 points for Muskegon (25-2), which connected on 28 of 43 free-throw attempts and held a 43-33 rebounding advantage. 

Trailing 18-14 with 5:45 remaining in the second quarter, Muskegon cranked up its defensive intensity and found rhythm in its halfcourt offense, going on a 15-1 run to take a 29-19 lead with 47.7 seconds remaining until halftime. 

Muskegon came out in the second half and extended its lead, scoring the first nine points of the third quarter to go up 38-21 with 3:14 left in the period on a free throw by sophomore Antanique Sargent.

Eisenhower didn’t score its first point of the second half until 2:54 remained in the third quarter. 

“I thought the girls came out and took a really good punch from (Eisenhower),” Muskegon head coach Bernard Loudermill said. “(Eisenhower) in the first quarter played really well. I think we had some missed defensive assignments, but the second quarter came and we got back to playing Lady Reds basketball.” 

Muskegon took a 44-28 lead into the fourth quarter, and while allowing Eisenhower to climb above the 40-point mark with 5:24 remaining in the game, kept answering with baskets of its own. The Big Reds ultimately stretched their lead to 63-42 with 2:37 remaining on a layup by Sain.

Muskegon entered the game allowing just 29.5 points per game, and its defense carried the load again. Eisenhower was held to 13 of 51 shooting from the field including 4 of 16 from 3-point range. 

“I thought they were a very good man-to-man team,” Eisenhower head coach Madison Ristovski said. “They did a good job of trying to get us out of the paint. We’re pretty good at getting into the paint and drawing defenders and kick-out for shots. I thought they were really physical.”

The season also was historic for Eisenhower and set a standard for what could be a special future for the program. 

Making their first Semifinal appearance since 1982, the Eagles had seven sophomores and a freshman on the roster, with three sophomores establishing themselves as starters. 

“I think for the school, it’s been amazing, and for the community with the support we’ve received,” Ristovski said. “I mean, it’s been 44 years. It’s been so fun, and we have such a young team.” 

One of the senior leaders who has been so instrumental to Eisenhower’s success all year, Gabby Gojcaj, scored 11 points to lead the Eagles on Thursday.

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PHOTOS (Top) Muskegon's Camiyah Bonner (4) drives to the basket Friday with Eisenhower's Natalya Stojcevski (24) defending. (Middle) Mariah Sain (10) considers her options while directing the offense. (Photos by Keionna Banks and John Castine/Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)