RAPID RIVER – A late surge made the difference for the Rapid River boys here Monday night in a 59-46 season-opening basketball victory over the Carney-Nadeau Wolves.

The Rockets led 43-39 late in the third quarter of this dual Skyline Central/Central U.P. Conference match-up, then outscored the Wolves 16-7 through the remainder of the contest.

A jump shot from the lane by junior Lane Olson gave the Rockets a 45-39 cushion heading into the fourth.

Rapid River extended its lead to 50-38 early in the fourth before the Wolves closed within 50-44 on a trio of free throws by junior Cullen Kasbohm with 5:26 left to play.

The Rockets responded with seven unanswered points, gaining an insurmountable 57-44 advantage on a layup by junior forward Rowen Flath with 1:14 remaining.

“We kept our composure,” Rockets’ coach Brent Lundquist said. “We had good leadership. The guys know when to run and when to back off. We had to keep a hand up on every two-point shot. Otherwise, they were going to hurt us.”

Rapid River raced to an early 9-0 lead.

The Wolves, however, got within 14-13 on a putback by Kasbohm late in the opening frame.

Rapid River led 25-18 midway through the second stanza before the Wolves responded with eight unanswered points, taking a 26-25 lead on a 21-foot jumper from the left baseline by junior guard Lane Mellen.

The Rockets regained the lead on a putback by Olson at 1:05.

Sophomore Kayne Wilson sank a six-foot jumper six seconds later, giving C-N a 28-27 leadfwhich it took into the halftime locker room.

The Wolves led 30-28 early in the third before the Rockets answered with a 10-0 run, taking a 39-30 lead on a layup by Flath at 4:30.

A 20-foot jumper by junior Beau Maule brought the Wolves within 39-35 late in the third.

The Rockets, however, didn’t allow them to get any closer.

“I’m not happy with much we did tonight,” C-N coach Mike Polfus said. “Our number of turnovers were too high. I thought we’d handle their pressure better. Maybe we didn’t prepare well enough. We also didn’t do a very good job defensively and I’ll take the blame for that.”

Flath scored 16 points. Olson added 15 and junior guard Jake Fox had 12 for the Rockets, who committed 20 turnovers.

The Wolves, who had 18 miscues, were led by Kasbohm with 17 points. Mellen finished with 10.

Both teams play again Thursday. The Rockets, who also won the jayvee game 61-27, host Powers North Central. The Wolves host Felch North Dickinson.

“They (North Central) are going to be extremely tough,” Lundquist said. “That will be another good test for us. We kept telling the guys to shake off the rust. We’re trying to get that continuity.”

Carney-Nadeau 13 15 11 7 — 46

Rapid River 16 11 18 14 — 59

Carney-Nadeau — Thoune 2, Wagner 3, Kasbohm 17, Maule 5, J. Wilson 2, K. Wilson 7, Mellen 10. FT: 7-11; F: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Kasbohm 2, Maule, K. Wilson, Mellen.

Rapid River — Poma 7, Kee 9, Olson 15, Flath 16, Fox 12. FT: 6-9; F: 9; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Flath 2, Kee.