The Superior Central girls basketball team lost a close game at North Dickinson on Monday, Jan. 30 by a score of 32-31. The loss was the first of the calendar year and ends a six-game winning streak for the Cougars.

“I hate to lose, but it’s also good to be in a close game like that,” SC Head Coach Skip Rutter said. “Winning that many games in a row, it’s good to get into a dog fight like that to learn more about yourselves.”

After a tied game at halftime, the Nordics kept the Cougars scoreless in the third quarter besides a single three-point play by Sammy Johnson. SC continued to struggle from the field in the final quarter, but showed extreme success at the free throw line to get it within one possession. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they couldn’t get the final bucket after going 10 of 12 from the charity stripe.

Rutter said the Nordics, who won just their fourth contest of the year and started their season on a seven-game losing streak, is better than what their record says.

“They play very stiff defensively and take advantage of what’s given them, so we knew it was going to be a tough one,” Rutter said. “They’re a mirror image of us and they exposed some of our weaknesses.”

Maddie Begovac led the Cougars with 14 points. ND’s Lindholm led all scorer with 16.

SC was scheduled for a game in Munising Thursday, but the game was postponed due to weather. The Cougars will host the Big Bay de Noc Black Bears in a boys and girls varsity double header on Friday in Eben Junction.