ESCANABA — The top-ranked Menominee boys set the pace early, rolling past fourth-ranked Westwood 74-57 in a Division 3 regional basketball opener here Monday.

Menominee (20-3) faces Benzie Central (20-3) in the championship game Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Sault Ste. Marie. The Patriots finished 17-5.

The Maroons, who ran the floor with authority all night, dashed to a 20-8 lead after the first quarter.

“We try to get out on the break, and that’s what we did tonight,” said senior guard Aidan Bellisle, who led the Maroons with 29 points. “When (Zach) Carlson is making his shots, they’re a good team. Tonight, we were able to keep his scoring down.”

Carlson finished with 20 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter mostly against Menominee reserves.

“We battled, only we didn’t handle the press well at times,” said Westwood coach Luke Gray. “They’re a fast team, but I think I could have done a better job making adjustments against their press. We didn’t attack them very well in the first quarter. We made some adjustments and did better with that in the second quarter. I just wish we would have made those a little sooner.”

Senior Cooper Conway converted a putback into a seven-foot jump shot, giving the Maroons their 12-point cushion after the opening frame.

Menominee stretched its advantage to 30-11 on a jumper from the lane by senior Brady Schultz with three minutes, 47 seconds left in the second quarter.

Westwood then found success at the free throw line, hitting 5-of-6 gifters including a pair by Carlson with 2:03 remaining in the second.

The Maroons ended the second stanza with a 7-2 run, gaining a 37-18 halftime advantage on a buzzer-beating layup by senior Brady Badker.

Schultz, current Upper Peninsula D-1 high jump record-holder, started the third quarter by finishing a fast break with a dunk for a 39-18 cushion.

The Patriots shaved their deficit to 40-25 on Carlson’s jumper from top of the key.

Menominee then outscored Westwood 22-8 through the remainder of the third, gaining an insurmountable 62-33 advantage on Conway’s 20-foot set shot at the buzzer.

“Brady’s dunk helped us maintain our momentum,” said Bellisle. “Tonight, I was finishing my layups and helping my teammates get scoring opportunities. Benzie is a good team. We have to play defense and get out on the fast break as we did tonight.”

Badker added 14 points, and Schultz finished with 12 for the Maroons, who committed 15 turnovers.

Senior Zach Beckman scored 16 points for the Patriots, who had six of their 10 miscues in the final eight minutes.

“Four turnovers through three quarters is good, but even that’s too many against a good Menominee team,” said Gray. “We were 6-of-29 on 3-pointers. You’re not going to win when you shoot like that.”

Menominee 20 17 25 12 — 74

Westwood 8 10 15 24 — 57

Menominee — Waara 4, Badker 14, Beal 4, Bellisle 29, Schultz 12, Coduti 5, Conway 6. FT: 4-9; F: 15; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Badker 2, Bellisle 2, Coduti, Conway.

Westwood — Carlson 20, Olson 5, Beckman 16, Sundberg 7, Bazinette 5, Karki 2. FT: 9-11; F: 8; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Sundberg 2, Carlson 2, Olson, Beckman.