GWINN — The Gladstone boys got the separation they needed in the fourth quarter here Tuesday night in an 82-69 basketball victory over the Gwinn Modeltowners.

Gladstone led 59-55 after three quarters of the Mid-Peninsula Conference contest.

“They really hung with us,” said Braves coach Dane Quigley. “One of the things we talked about at halftime was shoring up our defense and collapsing in the lane. We tried to make them move the ball into our helpside defense and did a much better job of it in the second half. In the first half, we were chasing the ball around. I think our depth made a difference. We were able to rotate guys, which I think wore them down a little.

Noah Ballard led the Braves (5-4 overall, 4-2 M-PC) with 22 points. Cam Ballard added 19 points and four assists. Jarret St. John had 11 points and Rane Castor hit nine.

The Braves drained 23-of-29 free throws with Cam Ballard hitting all seven of his. St. John sank 6-of-8 and Noah Ballard was 4-of-5. Noah Ballard was also 9-of-13 from the field. Cam Ballard finished 6-of-10 and Castor was 4-of-7.

James Harnick paced the Modeltowners (1-8 overall, 1-6 league) with 27 points. Reid Thill added 11.

The Braves, who also won the JV game, host second-ranked Negaunee Thursday. Gwinn visits Ishpeming Thursday.

Gladstone 12 26 21 23 — 82

Gwinn 10 25 20 14 — 69

Gladstone — Alworden 5, St. John 11, N. Johnson 2, Berube 1, C. Ballard 19, Hagebusch 1, N. Ballard 22, Hughes 2, Castor 9, Polley 6, Bernson 2. FT: 23-29; F: 17; Fouled out: None; Technical foul: St. John; 3-point field goals: St. John, C. Ballard, Castor.

Gwinn — Starnes 2, Love 2, Duvall 2, Harnick 27, Lightford 2, Anderson 8, Jancsi 9, Thill 14. FT: 12-19; F: 22; Fouled out: Jancsi; Technical foul: Harnick; 3-point field goals: Harnick 2, Jansci.