RAPID RIVER — Shorthanded Rapid River couldn’t keep up with fourth-ranked Munising in a 77-43 boys’ basketball loss here Wednesday night.

Rapid River, with just six available players, trailed 35-22 at halftime in this Skyline Central Conference contest.

The Rockets were missing three players, including two starters, and were outscored 29-7 in the third quarter.

“We were in it in the first half,” said Rockets’ coach Hayden Hardwick. “They broke down our zone in the second half, and we gave up a lot of second-chance points. I’m happy with the effort. The guys never quit. They saw this as an opportunity to see what they could do. Hopefully, we’ll have a full team next week.”

The Mustangs (4-0) extended their lead to 41-22 on two free throws by junior Hayden Rockhill 95 seconds into the third.

Rapid River senior Rease Dawley then sank a layup before Munising answered with a 15-0 run, gaining an insurmountable 56-24 advantage on Rockhills’ 22-foot set shot from the right wing with two minutes, five seconds left in the third.

“Our game plan is always to get out and run the floor,” said Munising coach Terry Kienitz. “We have a deep bench. With the numbers they had, they played well. This has turned into a little bit of a rivalry. They always play hard.”

The score was tied at 13, and Munising led 17-15 late in the first quarter.

Rockhill then converted a putback into a layup, giving the Mustangs a 19-15 lead with five seconds left in the opening frame.

The Rockets were within 25-19 following a 16-foot jump shot by junior Ian Sundling with 5:40 remaining in the second stanza.

Munising responded with 10 unanswered points, gaining a 35-19 cushion on a 21-foot jumper from the right wing by freshman Trevor Nolan with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the second.

“We had three guys out there who weren’t used to playing non-stop for 32 minutes,” said Hardwick. ‘Having just six guys tonight played a part. Rockhill did a great job crashing the boards. They’re a well-rounded team, and they’re missing their best player in my opinion (junior Kane Nebel due to an ACL injury). He’s a good kid. Hopefully, he’ll stay positive and keep working.”

Rockhill scored 27 points. Nolan added 15. Senior Drake Morrison hit 12, and Jesse Duran, who got in foul trouble in the second quarter, had 10.

Dawley tossed in 24 points, and Sundling had 14 for the Rockets, who hit 13-of-45 field goals and 5-of-21 free throws and committed 11 turnovers. The Mustangs had seven miscues.

“Single-digit turnovers, I’ll take that anytime,” said Kienitz. “We had seven, which is good. We also had balanced scoring. Hayden had a big game tonight. We hit some outside shots early which forced them to stretch out their zone.”

Munising, which also won the JV game 54-37, travels to Manistique Monday. The Rockets visit the Emeralds Tuesday.

Munising 19 16 29 13 — 77

Rapid River 15 7 7 14 — 43

Munising — Kienitz 3, Tripp 3, Nolan 15, Morrison 12, Trceciak 2, Duran 10, Vanzandt 4, Rockhill 27, Wymer 3. FT: 7-9; F: 16; Fouled out: Rockhill; 3-point field goals: Nolan 3, Rockhill 3, Kienitz, Wymer.

Rapid River — Sundling 14, Dawley 24, Cambron 3, Smith 2. FT: 5-21; F: 8; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Sundling 2, Dawley 2.