POWERS — The North Central girls picked up their defensive intensity in the second quarter Friday night, rallying past the Munising Mustangs 61-51 in a Skyline Central Conference basketball game.

All the girls did a great job,” said Jets’ coach Lee Vincent. “We played tough defense tonight.”

The Jets trailed 18-8 after the first quarter, but led 26-23 at halftime.

Andie Arsenault led the Jets (2-1 overall and SCC) with 21 points. Chloe Wells hit 13. Jadie Linder tallied 11 and Bree Arsenault had 10. Mikayla Werner paced the Mustangs (2-1 overall, 1-1 league) with 19 points and Daryn Johnson had 12.

“We tried to be close to Johnson because she’s usually good for 4-5 threes, but in the first quarter they got the ball inside to Werner,” said Vincent. “We collapsed on Werner and played better defense on her in the second quarter. We had to dig out a hole and picked it up a notch. Jadie picked it up a notch in the second half and the Arsenault girls were solid tonight.”

The teams combined for 49 fouls, including 26 by Munising.

“It was a very physical game,” said Vincent. “The officials were real consistent.”

North Central hit 22-of-48 field goals, committed 20 turnovers and collected 13 steals.

The Jets, who also won the jayvee game, travel to Menominee Monday. Munising visits Newberry Tuesday.

Munising 18 5 13 14 — 51

North Central 8 18 15 21 — 61

Munising — Mattson 7, Coty 2, Matson 8, Johnson 12, Werner 19, Downs 3. FT: 15-29; F: 26; Fouled out: Werner, Downs; 3-point field goals: Matson, Johnson.

North Central — B. Arsenault 10, A. Arsenault 21, Smith 1, Poupore 2, Pavlat 3, Linder 11, Wells 13. FT: 15-32; F: 23; Fouled out: Linder; 3-point field goals: Linder 2.