REPUBLIC — The Mid Peninsula boys lost a key starter in the second quarter, then went on to lose the game to Republic-Michigamme 69-55 Friday night in a non-conference boys basketball tilt in Republic.

Mid Pen senior guard Dylan Trudell went down with a bad ankle sprain in the first quarter, but the Wolverines (7-10) still managed to be down just 28-27 at the half.

Things got away from them in the second half, however, as Republic outscored them 17-6 in the third quarter to get the separation they needed.

“We kind of crapped the bed in the second half,” Mid Pen coach Mark Branstrom said. “It was a good lesson for us.”

Zach Englund led the Wolverines with 21 points, while Michael Englund canned four triples and finished with 16 points.

Eli Luokkala finished with a game-high 26 points for the Hawks (3-16). Colin Corhlin added 16 and Logan Hanninen chipped in 14.

“Zach and Mike both had excellent games,” Branstrom said. “It’s a shame that Dylan got hurt in the first quarter. It was going to be close and we knew that. It’s always going to be a battle when you come up here.”

Mid Pen shot just 19 for 62 from the field, was outrebounded 24-22 and had 11 turnovers. The Hawks were 25 for 49 and had 10 miscues.

“The circumstance is not good when we only play with six ball players. When your second best ball player goes out, it’s bad,” Branstrom said. “They worked hard. We had a lot of good scenarios happen, so it was not a wasted trip.”

Mid Pen won the JV game 24-19.

The Wolverines also dropped a 54-49 decision at Stephenson Tuesday. Trudell had 14 points, while Zach Englund finished with 12.

Mid Pen hosts Hannahville Tuesday.

Mid Pen 13 14 6 22 — 55

Republic 13 15 17 24 — 69

Mid Pen — Z. Englund 21, McNally 8, M. Englund 16, Lehtikangas 2, O’Neil 4, Temple 4. FT: 10-15; F: 21; Fouled out: O’Neil. 3-point field goals: M. Englund 4, Z. Englund 2, McNally 1.

Republic — Luokkala 26, Dupont 4, Corhlin 16, Hanninen 14, Conklin 3, Koski 6. FT: 19-27; F: 12; Fouled out: Corhlin.