MANISTIQUE — The Westwood High School boys’ basketball team needed a half to adjust to the post-season.

Once they did, it was full steam ahead as the Patriots posted a 46-29 victory at Manistique as they look to make another deep run in the MHSAA playoffs.

Three years ago, Westwood turned an 8-12 regular season into a berth in the Class C quarterfinals by starting with a tough victory over Manistique in the districts.

This year the win in the Division 3 tournament opener might not have been as tough, even though the underdog Emeralds led 17-15 at halftime.

“I thought we came out stagnant,” WHS head coach Chad Hewitt said about his team’s first half. “We regrouped at halftime, we made some adjustments.

“The guys definitely had more pep in their step after that.

“Jacob Adriano, Blake Hewitt and Ty Alderton did a good job cleaning up on the glass, too.”

Hewitt also said his team got more aggressive on offense, driving to the hoop and relying less on long-range 3-point shots.

That helped turn the halftime deficit into a 31-23 lead after three quarters, which eventually ballooned to the 16-point difference in the end.

Patriots’ senior Nathan Beckman led all scorers with 15 points, while junior Taylor Dellangelo added 10 and Blake Hewitt had nine points to go with eight rebounds.

The Patriots hit 19-of-46 field goals.

Senior Kanton Lauzon paced the Emeralds (4-15) with 12 points.

Westwood, which improved to 12-9, advances to the district semifinals at Negaunee at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

That winner hosts the championship game at 7 p.m. Friday against Gwinn or Ishpeming.

Westwood 9 6 16 15 — 46

Manistique 11 6 6 6 — 29

Westwood — Dellangelo 10, Alderton 2, Beckman 15, Niemi 2, Adriano 4, Hewitt 9. FT: 5-11.

Manistique — Block 6, Hoholik 4, Gierke 4, Lauzon 12, Andersen 3. FT: 7-8.