CARNEY — The second-ranked Carney-Nadeau girls proved equal to Bark River-Harris’s challenge here Wednesday night in a 65-50 basketball triumph over the Broncos.

C-N led throughout, but not always by comfortable margins.

The Wolves (14-0) led 16-4 after the first quarter and 18-7 early in the second before BR-H went on an 8-0 run in this match-up of Skyline Central Conference teams.

Senior guard Allison Richer and junior forward Cara Zawacki drained 3-point shots from the left wing, and junior Olivia Erickson hit a layup to bring the Broncos (9-3) within 18-15 slightly more than two and a half minutes into the second stanza.

The Wolves again began to widen the spread, gaining a 28-20 halftime cushion on a buzzer-beating putback by 6-foot-3 junior center Tessa Wagner.

“We got off to a good start. Then, in the second quarter, we got a little sloppy with the ball,” said C-N coach Ken Linder. “When you have two good teams out there, you’re going to have runs. They have a nice team and had no intention of going away. They’re a good 3-point shooting team. They hit a few 3s, and the next thing you know, they’re back in the game.”

BR-H was within 34-28 following a layup by Richer with 4:57 left in the third frame.

The Wolves responded with a 12-0 run, gaining a 46-28 advantage when senior guard Haley Ernest split a pair of free throws with 40.9 seconds remaining in the third.

BR-H followed with a 12-0 run of its own, climbing within 46-40 on a layup and free throw by Richer with 5 1/2 minutes left to play.

Sophomore forward Shae Linder hit a layup on a pass from Wagner, and senior guard Taylor Kedsch sank a 21-foot set shot from the left wing to put the Wolves up 51-40.

The Broncos were still within 52-44 following a layup by junior Alaska Peterson with 3:18 remaining. The Wolves, however, didn’t allow them to get any closer.

“We ran a motion offense,” said BR-H coach Matt Richer. “At times, we’d get a good look, then Wagner was suddenly there. We tried to get her out on the left corner, but she knows when it’s time to help. Alexis Berg hit a three to get us going in the second quarter. We need her to provide a little more scoring help, which she can.”

Wagner finished with 26 points, 18 rebounds and six assists. Kedsch added 15 points and four assists. Shae Linder and Ernest also had six assists.

“We passed the ball real well,” said coach Linder. “We worked the ball around nicely and hit the open girl. I thought Shae did a nice job getting the ball in to Tessa. Shae hit her in the pivot, and Tessa then went into her shot. It’s pretty hard to stop Tessa once she gets close to the rim. Taylor also had a real nice game. She hit some big 3s and did a nice job on Cara Zawacki. Overall, we had a good performance. We’re happy to get the win.”

Allison Richer scored 20 points. Zawacki hit 11, and Peterson had nine, all in the fourth quarter.

“Alaska gave us a spark in the fourth quarter,” said coach Richer. “She has been getting more minutes and playing better. We went to a zone in the fourth, and I think that slowed them down a little. Kedsch hit some shots early, which made us change our strategy. You just can’t spot them 12 points in the first quarter.”

The Broncos committed 16 turnovers, and the Wolves had 12.

C-N, which also won the jayvee contest 41-37, hosts West Iron County Saturday. BR-H visits Rapid River tonight at 7:30.

Bark River-Harris 4 16 10 20 — 50

Carney-Nadeau 16 12 18 19 — 65

Bark River-Harris — Fredrick 5, Berg 3, Peterson 9, Zawacki 11, Richer 20, Erickson 2. FT: 8-11; F: 14; Fouled out: None.

Carney-Nadeau — Ernest 9, Grand 5, Kedsch 15, Kirschner 2, Wagner 26, Linder 5. FT: 8-19; F: 12; Fouled out: None.