Austin Hemmingson | Daily Press Escanaba’s Nicole Kamin shoots over Bark River-Harris defenders Grace Peterson (30), Makena Lockwood (12) and Sierra Debelak (back) during Friday’s game at Escanaba.

ESCANABA — The Escanaba girls survived early foul trouble and a late comeback by Bark River-Harris here Friday night as they hung on for a 57-49 basketball triumph.

Esky appeared to be comfortably ahead after the third quarter of the non-conference contest.

Its 19-point cushion (50-31), however, nearly disappeared in the fourth quarter.

“In all fairness, we kind of let up in the fourth quarter,” said Esky coach Mike Beveridge. “We needed to give the girls some playing time, but give credit to them. They hit some big 3s and got back in the game.”

BR-H climbed within 52-47 on an eight-foot jump shot by sophomore guard Cara Zawacki with one minute, 40 seconds left to play.

Sophomore guard Bailey Barron answered with a jumper from the lane with 1:05 remaining, giving the Eskymos a 54-47 lead.

The Broncos got within 54-49 on an 18-foot jumper by senior guard Sierra Debelak with 40 seconds left to play before freshman forward Mari Bink sealed the verdict with a layup and free throw on a pass from junior guard Maysie Lancour.

“That was a big play,” said Beveridge.

“We told the girls to get the ball to Mari and Maysie got it to her. We’re pleased with three quarters of the game. Although, they’re a good team. The Debelak girl had a nice game for them.”

BR-H scored the first five points in the third frame, trimming its deficit to 37-29 on a 21-foot set shot from the right wing by senior Grace Peterson.

Junior center Nicole Kamin then ignited an 11-0 run, scoring the first nine points of that run which ended with a steal and a layup by junior guard Anna Smith for a 48-29 advantage.

“Nicole was special,” said Beveridge. “She cut that zone apart in the first half. She’s getting a little more patient against the zone. She has grown up a lot this year.”

Esky (8-5) led 25-17 after the first quarter, then extended its lead to 37-24 at halftime despite having two starters (Barron and Maddy Monkevich) with three fouls.

“We went to the bench early due to foul trouble,” said Beveridge. “That hurt us early on because it kept some girls out of the game.”

Kamin finished with 27 points. Senior Taylor Ray added 13 for the Eskymos, who held a 25-21 rebounding edge and committed 12 turnovers.

“We didn’t fathom they’d hit seven 3s in the first quarter,” said BR-H coach Matt Richer. “We stayed in a 3-2 (zone) most of the game and tried to keep them off balance. In the fourth quarter, we could see it in the girls’ eyes. It was like ‘we can do this.’ This is the type of team we could see in Westwood (in Division 3 district). We had some girls come out of their slumps. This is the best we shot from outside all year.”

Debelak led the Broncos (5-6) with 15 points. Zawacki and Peterson had 10 each. They had 13 turnovers.

“We told the girls we’re pretty close,” said Richer. “They work hard everyday in practice and we’re playing disciplined. The victories will come.”

The Eskymos, who won the JV game 44-16, are idle until Feb. 6 when they travel to Houghton. The Broncos host Rapid River Monday.

BR-Harris 17 7 7 18 — 49

Escanaba 25 12 13 7 — 57

Bark River-Harris — Fredrick 4, Debelak 15, Lockwood 2, Zawacki 10, Arndt 3, Richer 3, Cappaert 2, Peterson 10. FT: 8-14; F: 9; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Debelak 3, Zawacki 2, Richer, Peterson.

Escanaba — Barron 5, Kamin 27, Smith 4, Ray 13, Hughes 2, Bink 6. FT: 1-3; F: 16; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Kamin 3, Ray 3, Barron, Bink.