Todd Rose | Daily Press Bark River-Harris’ Cara Zawacki (13) shoots a layup as teammate Nina Bower (3) readies for a possible rebound and Munising’s Bailey Corcoran (4) defends Friday night in Harris.

HARRIS — A thrilling game backed by a rambunctious crowd ended 53-48 in favor of the Bark River-Harris Broncos (6-5) over the Munising Mustangs (9-2) Friday night in Harris.

To start the second half, the Broncos trailed the Mustangs 22-16. However, a huge third quarter anchored by 16 points from Cara Zawacki — who ended the night with a career-high total of 28 — propelled Bark River to the lead and win. McKenzie Hoffmeyer, Nina Bower and Aspen Fredrick all pitched in a pair of points to give the Broncos double (22-11) what Munising scored in the quarter.

In the waning moments of the game, free throws from Zawacki and Hoffmeyer kept the Broncos just out of reach.

“What a good game,” Broncos coach Matt Richer. “I felt like we finally put a game together. We didn’t play great the first. We had trouble scoring. We had good shots, but we couldn’t make shots. We told the girls at halftime that we were getting good looks and to stick with the program, stick with what we’re doing.”

The teams went shot for shot in the opening minutes with Bailey Corcoran hitting a two for the Mustangs to go on the board 1:28 into the game.

Alaska Peterson answered back to tie it up 12 seconds later but was quickly followed up by Monique Brisson hitting a three to push the Mustangs back ahead 5-2.

Again, the Broncos tied it up with a three from Zawacki, her first of a trio on the night. Another triple from Munising, this one from Jenna Mattson, pushed them ahead 8-7 following a two-point basket from Hoffmeyer — off the assist from Fredrick, who stole the ball near half court — for the Broncos.

Hoffmeyer would then hit a three to give the Broncos the 10-8 edge to end the first

While the Mustangs pulled away in the second, outscoring the Broncos 14-6, the second half is where Bark River came alive. The key to the resurgence, said Richer, was perfect execution by his team.

“We got so many easy looks (in the third quarter) because we’re setting good screens, we’re making hard cuts, we’re making backdoor cuts, things like that,” he said. “The girls bought in tonight, and it’s fun to watch. When you play good basketball, it’s fun to watch, and it’s fun for everyone. Especially at a home game.”

In addition to Zawacki’s career-high 28-points, Hoffmeyer also put up eight with Fredrick and Lauren Zawada with six and five, respectively. Bower, Peterson and Olivia Erickson all put up shots for two as well.

Defensively, the Broncos were sound, with Bower, Hoffmeyer and Peterson all copping three steals — one of Bower’s coming right under the net that she put up for a basket.

Mustangs coach Matt Mattson gave credit to the Broncos for their win and fans for creating such a fun environment to play in.

“The fans definitely got their money’s worth. It was tournament atmosphere and a good ball game,” coach Mattson commented. “Give Bark River credit. We were up six at halftime, and they beat us by five. Zawacki was hot in the second half. She put on a show.

“It was a good ball game. Obviously, we made some mistakes and did some things we need to work on and improve on, but Bark River’s a good team and I think it was a good battle tonight.”

Four Mustangs hit double digits in the game with Jenna Mattson (14) leading the way and Bailey Corcoran (11), Julia Prunick (10) and Emmy Crisp (10) following.

For fans that attended both the JV and varsity games, they got value for their money as the JV game ended 32-30 on a buzzer beater from Munising freshman Dayne Behning.

A busy schedule is ahead for the Mustangs as they have three games a week for the next three weeks. They start the stretch with a game at Brimley today.

The Broncos are also in action tonight as they head just a bit up the road to face the North Central Jets in Powers.

Munising 8 14 11 15 — 48

Bark River-Harris 10 6 22 15 — 53

Munising — Jenna Mattson 14, Corcoran 11, Prunick 10, Crisp 10, Brisson 3; FT: 8-16; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: J. Mattson 2, Brisson, Prunick.

Bark River-Harris — Zawacki 28, Hoffmeyer 8, Fredrick 6, Zawada 5, Bower 2, Peterson 2, Erickson 2; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Zawacki 3, Fredrick, Hoffmeyer.