CLOQUET – Ely used a second half rally to extend their win streak to six games after topping Fond du Lac 64-52. The Wolves had trailed 29-23 at halftime, but used a big night at the charity stripe to pull out the victory.

Ely trailed for most of the game and at one point trailed in the second half by 11 points. The Wolves connected on ten three-pointers, most of those coming down the stretch in the second half.

“After trailing 39-28 at one point in the second half we started to come back,” said Ely Head Coach Tom McDonald. “We got some good possessions defensively and started to hit some threes to cut into their lead.”

The momentum changed with some lockdown defense and some key shots outside the arc. “We took the lead and made free throws in the last couple minutes to get the win,” said McDonald. “We were 18-23 in the second half and 20-26 for the game.”

Carter Gaulke and Patrick Vanderbeek led the way for the Wolves, with 20 points apiece. Adam McDonald was right behind with 18 points, while Blaise Lah led the team on the boards with nine rebounds.

The come-from-behind win was a reprise of their Saturday matchup with Duluth Marshall. After falling behind 23-13 in the game’s early going, Ely got its defense in gear and starting hitting its shots. They regained the lead by halftime and claimed a commanding 58-42 win over the Hilltoppers.

Vanderbeek kept the Wolves in the game early as he connected on nine of 11 three-pointers en route to a game-leading 33 points.

“We did a nice job of running offense for him and getting it to him when he was open,” said McDonald.

Adam McDonald had a good all-around game as well, with ten points, nine assists, five rebounds, and seven steals. Carter Gaulke tallied ten points and seven assists while Blaise Lah led the team with 11 rebounds.

Ely had a poor night shooting from outside the arc on Friday night. Still, a stout defense was enough for the road win at Mt. Iron-Buhl 50-43.

“We shot the ball well enough to win but I think the difference was our ability to defend them,” said McDonald. “It was nice to be able to hold them to 43 even when we weren’t shooting well.”

Ely was led by Carter Gaulke who had 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Vanderbeek added 21 points while Adam McDonald led the team with nine rebounds to go with five assists.

Ely hosts Littlefork-Big Falls on Friday night. Varsity game time is 7:15 p.m.