MANISTIQUE — A stingy man-to-man defense set the tone for the Gladstone girls here Thursday night as they rolled to a 75-19 basketball victory over the Manistique Emeralds.

The Braves led 24-5 after the first quarter and 49-13 at halftime of this non-conference game.

“Our focus was on defense,” Braves’ coach Andy Cretens said. “We worked on our rotation and made sure they weren’t one step ahead of us. We need to get better with our ball pressure and force some turnovers.”

Gladstone committed just five turnovers which was pleasing to Cretens.

“I’m happy to see that,” he said. “We’re averaging 12, but had 22 against fourth-ranked

Menominee (in Tuesday’s 50-37 triumph). I wasn’t happy with that. They pressed. We haven’t seen that very often, but we’ll see that in the next few games.”

The second-ranked Braves visit top-ranked Negaunee Tuesday, then host Calumet Jan. 30 and second-ranked (D-4) Ishpeming Feb. 3.

Gladstone senior Lillie Johnson scored 28 points in less than three quarters, running her career total to 1,942.

Johnson, who collected six steals and had several deflections, hit a turn-around jump shot from the lane just nine seconds into the game.

“Her length makes it difficult for opposing players to get around her,” Cretens said. “She’s continuing to grow, which is the best thing.”

Manistique was within 7-3 following a jumper from top of the key by sophomore Pressley Spettel midway through the opening frame.

The Braves outscored the Emeralds 17-2 through the remainder of the first, gaining a 24-5 advantage on a steal and buzzer-beating layup by Johnson.

Gladstone extended its lead to 29-5 on Johnson’s putback before Emeralds’ sophomore Allie Davis sank a 21-foot jumper from the right wing to make it 29-8.

The Braves answered with a 12-0 run, gaining an insurmountable 41-8 advantage on a lay-in by sophomore Tianna Reynolds early in the second stanza.

Sophomore Malia Quigley added 10 points and junior Eva Pankonien finished with nine on a trio of three-point shots. Junior Adele Ostlund had three steals.

“She sees the court real well,” Emeralds’ coach Dan Giles said of Johnson. “She influences what’s going on out there no matter what. They do all the things they need.”

Spettel hit seven points for the Emeralds, who turned the ball over 30 times.

“Pressley is one who puts the time in,” Giles said. “It’s nice to see her get rewarded in a game and she’s getting more game time against tough competition.”

Gladstone also won the jayvee game 60-17.

Sophomore Kamille Hughes hit 15 points and freshman Makenna Mills had 10 for the Braves, who led 29-10. Freshman Audrina Kaiser led the Emeralds with seven.

The Emeralds host Escanaba Tuesday.

Gladstone 24 25 14 12 — 75

Manistique 5 8 1 5 — 19

Gladstone — Blowers 6, Quigley 10, Bracket 7, Pankonien 9, Ostlund 4, Reynolds 7, Zoli 2, Johnson 28. FT: 10-18; F: 7; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Pankonien 3, Johnson 2, Blowers.

Manistique — Kangas 2, M. Davis 2, B. Petrelius 2, A. Davis 4, Spettel 7, Joslin 2. FT: 6-8; F: 17; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Spettel 2, A. Davis.