NEGAUNEE — It was a tough opening night for the Manistique girls here Tuesday night as they dropped a 65-25 basketball decision to the Negaunee Miners.

The Emeralds trailed 44-11 at halftime of this Mid-Peninsula Conference affair.

“We were definitely shaky in the first half,” said Emeralds’ coach Jenna Nagy. “We knew Negaunee would come out swinging with the ball pressure and range shooting. We weren’t patient with executing our plays and looking for the best scoring option.”

Alyssa Hill scored 14 points, and Lilly Nelson added 12 on four 3-point field goals. Brooke St. John led the Emeralds with seven.

“In the second half, we were able to take advantage of some of the mismatches,” said Nagy. “We were getting decent looks but weren’t able to put the ball in the hoop. Negaunee’s speed in transition definitely hurt us, too.

Manistique hosts Newberry Monday.

Negaunee visits Gladstone Friday.

Manistique 8 3 5 9 — 25

Negaunee 22 22 12 9 — 65

Manistique — McDaniel 5, Allour 3, Lund 2, Kingren 3, St. John 7, Goudreau 5. FT: 10-21; F: 9; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: McDaniel, Allour.

Negaunee — Thompson 3, Smith 4, Nelson 12, Dudo 4, Masio 7, Prusi 3, Gauthier 4, Atkins 8, Hill 14, Juchemich 3. FT: 4-6; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Nelson 4, Atkins 2, Thompson, Prusi.