Rapid River senior Blake Lundquist attempts a close-range shot against Mid Peninsula on Dec. 27, 2023 at Mid Peninsula High School.

ST. NICHOLAS — A big third quarter by senior Myles Anderson provided additional separation for the Rapid River boys here Wednesday night in a 51-30 basketball triumph over Mid Peninsula.

Anderson scored 10 of his 18 points in the third stanza of this non-conference contest for the Rockets, who led 29-15 at halftime and extended their lead to 44-24 after the third.

Rapid River’s full-court pressure defense also made a difference as it improved to 3-5.

“Our press either works real well or real bad, and tonight it worked real well,” Rockets’ coach Brent Lundquist said. “We’re also cleaning up on turnovers and tonight the guys did a real good job with that.”

The Rockets, who finished with 14 miscues, took their biggest lead at 44-22 on a lay-in by Anderson with 2:15 left in the third.

“Turnovers and rebounds hurt us tonight, although I thought we did a better job moving the ball in the third quarter,” Mid Pen coach Carl Brunngraeber said. “Only, we had trouble matching up with Anderson and didn’t do a good enough job boxing out.”

The Wolverines (1-6) got within 32-20 early in the third frame on sophomore Michael Jenkins’ jumper from the boulevard early in the third frame, prior to Anderson’s 10 points which helped the Rockets go on a 10-2 run.

Mid Pen got within 11-7 on a 12-foot jump shot and free throw by senior Caleb Lofquist late in the opening frame before Rapid River extended its lead to 16-9 heading into the second.

The Rockets then outscored the Wolverines 11-2 to start the second as they surged to a 27-11 advantage on a jumper from top of the key by freshman Joe Thorbahn.

Senior Blake Lundquist added 12 points for the Rockets and Lofquist scored 10 for the Wolverines, who committed 22 turnovers.

“We put a lot of emphasis on Lundquist,” Brunngraeber said. “Holding him to 12 points, I’ll take that. Defensively, we’re playing well. Offensively, we’re a work in progress, but we’re getting better every night.”

Another bright spot for the Wolverines was their performance from the free throw line where they hit 8-of-11 shots.

Junior Ed Forslund provided the Rockets with an additional bright spot with his rebounding.

“We preach to the kids about boxing out,” coach Lundquist said. “Ed has a really good vertical jump and finds a way to come down with the ball.”

Both teams resume Wednesday with the Rockets hosting reigning Division 4 state champ Munising and Mid Pen hosting Hannahville.

Rapid River 16 13 15 7 — 51

Mid Peninsula 9 6 9 6 — 30

Rapid River — Belanger 4, Anderson 18, Christoff 4, Forslund 4, Lundquist 12, Carlson 2, Thorbahn 3. FT: 1-8; F: 10; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Lundquist 4, Christoff, Thorbahn.

Mid Peninsula — Lofquist 10, Brunngraeber 9, Jenkins 4, Micheau 8, VanDamme 5, Micheau 2. FT: 8-11; F: 10; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goal: VanDamme.