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Houghton Girls B-Ball State Champions

 EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Alyssa Polso scored 15 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter, including 12 of 14 free throws, to lead Houghton to a 50-44 victory over previously unbeaten Michigan Center in the Class C championship game.

Houghton (25-2) made only one of 14 shots from the field in the second quarter and trailed the Cardinals 24-14 at halftime after a basket at the buzzer by Michigan Center's LaTashia Pratt.

A 3-point basket by Nicole Asiala got the Gremlins started on their second-half comeback, and she made four straight free throws during a 9-0 run that gave Houghton a 32-30 lead with 6:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Courtney Lusk countered with a 3-point basket for Michigan Center (27-1), but Polso hit a free throw to tie the game, then put the Gremlins ahead to stay with a 3-pointer with just over 4 minutes to play.

Houghton maintained its lead by hitting 14 of 16 free throws during the last 3:40.

Turnovers also were a key. Michigan Center lost the ball 24 times, compared with 10 for Houghton. The Gremlins converted the Cardinals' turnovers into 20 points.

Asiala finished with 11 points for Houghton, which advanced past the regional round of the tournament for the first time.

Lusk had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Michigan Center. Pratt also finished with 10 points.

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