EBEN — A slow start doomed the Superior Central girls basketball team in a 57-31 home loss to the Stephenson Eagles Thursday.

The Eagles held the Cougars to a single 3-pointer from Charlotte Charlebois in the first quarter while racking up 20 points of their own in this Skyline Central Conference contest.

The Eagles led 36-12 at halftime and coasted in the second half.

Emma Rutter led the Cougars with 13 points.

Superior Central (1-19, 0-16 SC) faces Rapid River Monday in its Division 4 district opener at Mid Peninsula. Stephenson (8-12, 8-7 SC) drew a first-round bye in its Divison 4 district and will visit the winner of Carney-Nadeau and North Central Wednesday.

Stephenson 20 16 11 8 — 57

Superior Central 3 9 14 5 — 31

Stephenson — E. Johnson 17, M. Johnson 16, Cappaert 6, Anderson 5, Klatt 4, Cole 3, Schultz 2, Kuntze 2, Verba 2. F: 14; Fouled out: none; FT: 10-17; 3-point field goals: E. Johnson 1, Cole 1.

Superior Central — Rutter 13, Tyner 4, Molag 4, Charlebois 3, J. Walters 3, G. Johnson 2, D. Walters 2. F: 12; Fouled out: none; FT: 4-9; 3-point field goals: Rutter 2, Charlebois 1.