MANISTIQUE — The Manistique girls were unable to get the lid off the basket Wednesday night in a 44-31 basketball loss to the Rudyard Bulldogs.

This non-conference match-up was tied at eight after the first quarter, but Rudyard led 22-13 at halftime.

“We did a better job being assertive in the second half,” said Emeralds’ coach Dave Winkel. “We just couldn’t get the ball to drop. We’re getting good shots. We’re not able to put them in yet.”

Cierra Molina led the Bulldogs in their opener with 20 points. Joslyn Muth hit 12 for the Emeralds (0-2).

Rudyard held a 39-37 rebounding edge and hit 14-of-55 shots. The Emeralds were 13-of-56 from the field.

“It seemed like every time we’d get a chance to creep back in, they’d hit a three to get their lead back to double digits,” said WInkel. “We kind of let them dictate what was going to happen on both ends of the court.”

The Emeralds, who won the jayvee game 47-28, visit Engadine Tuesday.

Rudyard 8 14 10 12 — 44

Manistique 8 5 8 10 — 31

Rudyard — Smith 5, Beelen 4, Chesney Molina 4, Cierra Molina 20, Besterman 4, Belleville 6, Mesnard 1. FT: 9-32; F: 19; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Cierra Molina 4, Smith, Cierra Molina, Belleville.

Manistique — Twardokus 5, Zellar 6, Peterson 5, K. Muth 2, J. Muth 12, McDaniel 1. FT: 4-17; F: 21; Fouled out: Twardokus; 3-point field goal: Peterson.