Alpena took an early lead in the first quarter, finishing with a 16-12 advantage. Despite their strong start, the Timberwolves responded in the second quarter, tying the game at 16 with 6:20 left before halftime. The Lumberjacks quickly regained control, pulling ahead by four points with just under five minutes remaining in the quarter.

Head coach Karl Momrik credited the team’s ability to adjust during that stretch.

“You got to keep after it,” Momrik said. “You got to take better shots. We were rushing a few too many. Good things happen when you take better shots, and we finished the half well. We had a great second half, scoring 39.”

One of the key contributors to the Lumberjacks’ success was freshman Allison Cece, who played a significant role in both scoring and forcing turnovers. Her defensive presence helped Alpena maintain momentum throughout the game.

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Cierra Tetz attempts to make a shot on Wednesday where ACC played NCMC at home. The Lumberjacks came out on top and secured the win.

“She’s one of the best defenders around,” Momrik said of Cece. “She was one of the top defenders in the Upper Peninsula last year. She’s only a freshman, but she plays hard every night. We always expect great defense out of Allison.”

The Lumberjacks’ ability to get to the free-throw line was another factor in their win. With North Central Michigan committing multiple fouls, Alpena took full advantage of their opportunities at the line.

“We were 18 for 24 tonight. In the last game, we shot 74%, and tonight we were at 75%,” Momrik said. “Free throws and layups — that’s the game. Very, very important.”

Heading into the final quarter, Alpena led 50-44 with 3:34 remaining. As the Timberwolves attempted to close the gap, the Lumberjacks held their ground, maintaining a five-point lead with 52 seconds left before sealing the nine-point victory.

With two tough games ahead, Momrik emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s effort and discipline.

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Jena Wambold shoots a two-pointer during Wednesday’s game in Alpena. Alpena Community College defeated North Central Michigan College 59-50.

“We’ve got two real tough ones coming up,” he said. “These are two of the top teams. We’re just going to keep playing hard, take it to the next step, and take it one possession at a time.”

ACC plays at Mid Michigan College on Friday and will host Delta College on Tuesday.