RAPID RIVER — The Bark River-Harris girls gained plenty of separation in the third quarter here Thursday night in a 59-38 basketball victory over the Rapid River Rockets.

Rapid River trailed 35-23 following a putback by senior forward Natalie Belanger midway through the third.

The Broncos (12-3) answered with a 12-0 run, gaining an insurmountable 47-23 advantage on junior Alaska Peterson’s layup, set up on a pass from senior Aspen Fredrick late in the third.

“They gave us a game into the third quarter. Then, we started hitting some shots,” said BR-H coach Matt Richer. “We noticed they weren’t going real deep into their bench, and we were going nine deep.

“I think we kind of wore them down a little. We’re streaky. We score in bunches. Then, we struggle a little. We took care of the ball and played better defense in the third quarter. The biggest thing in the first half is we didn’t rebound very well, although they have Belanger down there (under the basket).”

Senior Alexis Berg gave the Broncos a 51-27 advantage on a 15-foot set shot to begin the fourth.

The Rockets (2-12) got no closer than 19 points through the remainder of the contest.

“I thought we did pretty well,” said Rockets’ coach Scott Goodacre. “We knew they were a good shooting team. I thought all our seniors stepped up on defense (on Senior Night). We probably had a better percentage (32) from the field than we shot all year. I honestly think we’re a better team than our record shows.”

Rapid River was within 18-17 following a fast break layup by sophomore Monica Thibault midway through the second frame.

BR-H then used a 13-2 run to gain a 33-19 cushion senior Morgan Cappaert’s layup on a pass from classmate Kassidy Roll in the final minute of the second.

The Broncos led 33-21 at halftime of this match-up between Skyline Central Conference schools.

Senior point guard Allison Richer led BR-H with 15 points. Junior Cara Zawacki added 10, and Berg had nine.

“Ally has always led our offense, and she has been scoring lately,” said coach Richer. “Alaska has also been coming on lately, which enables Ally to run the point a little more.

“Both teams were playing back-to-back games. You never know how you’re going to come on the second night. We were a little sloppy early.”

Senior guard Shania Poore paced the Rockets with 11 points, and senior forward Zeta Keys had eight.

“That was a good effort for Zeta,” said Goodacre. “I think this was our best overall game since Forest Park (in a 45-33 at Crystal Falls Feb. 16).”

BR-H, which didn’t turn the ball over in the third stanza, finished with 12 miscues. Rapid River hit 16-of-50 field goals and had 24 turnovers.

The Broncos, who also won the jayvee game 68-25, hosts North Central Monday. The Rockets visit Stephenson Monday.

Bark River-Harris 16 17 16 10 — 59

Rapid River 11 10 6 11 — 38

Bark River-Harris — Fredrick 6, Berg 9, Peterson 7, Zawacki 10, Cappaert 5, Ives 3, Richer 15, Erickson 4. FT: 13-17; F: 11; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Richer 3, Zawacki.

Rapid River — Pilon 4, Thibault 5, Goodacre 4, Keys 8, Poore 11, Belanger 6. FT: 4-11; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-pont field goals: Keys, Poore.