Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Gladstone’s Cam Ballard shoots a layup in front of Manistique’s Joey Hoholik Friday at Gladstone.

GLADSTONE — The Gladstone boys’ basketball team had to work for it against the Manistique Emeralds Friday night, but the Braves were able to put the Emeralds to rest with a 65-60 victory in a Mid-Peninsula Conference matchup in Gladstone.

With 6:43 remaining in the game, Gladstone led 52-48. Thirteen seconds later, Manistique’s Schyler Andersen sank a triple to pull the Emeralds within 52-51. Andersen sank a jumper 30 seconds later to give Manistique a 53-52 advantage.

“We couldn’t pull away tonight,” Braves’ coach Dane Quigley said. “I give a lot of credit to Manistique. They shot the ball well. It seemed like every time we got something going, they’d knock down a couple 3s and get back into it. We’d get stagnant on offense, and we’d just go through a drought. (Manistique) came out swinging, but luckily were were able to grit this one out.”

Shortly after, Gladstone’s Caden Alworden hit one of two free throws to tie it 53-53.

Mark Block then scored to give Manistique (1-1) the advantage with 4:43 remaining.

Gladstone (2-0) was able to pull ahead over the next two minutes thanks to the efforts of Cam and Noah Ballard for a 9-2 run to lead 61-57.

Once more, Manistique fought back with a triple from Joey Hoholik to pull back within one with three minutes left.

Thirty seconds later, Rane Castor grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and got it to Cam Ballard, who put the Braves up 63-60.

Both teams had opportunities to score and both had trouble capitalizing in the final minutes before Cam Ballard finally hit two bonus free throws to seal the game.

“I was happy with how they were patient at the end,” Quigley said. “Not turning the ball over, not throwing up a quick shot and giving (Manistique) another possession, and we came out and executed what we talked about in the timeouts. We didn’t shoot free throws particularly well today, but when it mattered in the end, we did.”

The Braves jumped out to an 11-3 lead halfway through the first quarter, but the Emeralds hit three triples to stay within 18-14 at the end of the period.

“To be honest, I was very pleased we were just playing basketball,” Emeralds’ coach Cody Kangas said.

“We have a set offense and a transition offense that we used almost all day today. We played it pretty well tonight. I’m also really pleased with our bench play.”

Manistique took its first lead halfway through the second after another trey from Andersen to lead 21-20, and the Emeralds refused to go down quiet the rest of the way, taking the lead back twice more before the fourth quarter.

“We know where our strength lies,” Kangas said. “We’re good shooters, but our mentality has to be more on the defensive side now.”

Hoholik led the Emeralds with 17 points and four triples. Andersen followed with 15 points and three treys. Block rounded out the top scorers with 11 points.

The Braves were led by Castor with 20 points and seven rebounds. Cam Ballard had 16 points and eight boards, while Noah Ballard had 14 points. Michael Hagebusch finished with 10.

The Braves won the jayvee game 77-20.

Manistique hosts Iron Mountain Monday, while Gladstone travels to Marquette Tuesday.

Manistique 14 18 12 16 — 60

Gladstone 18 18 12 17 — 65

Manistique — Hoholik 17, Andersen 15, Block 11, Warren 8, Blixt 4, Schroeder 3, St. John 2. FT: 12-16; F: 18; Fouled out: St. John, Block. 3-point field goals: Hoholik 4, Andersen 3, Warren 2, Block 1.

Gladstone — Castor 20, C. Ballard 16, N. Ballard 14, Hagebusch 10, St. John 4, Alworden 1. FT: 16-25; F: 14; Fouled out: None. 3-point field goals: Castor 1.