ESCANABA — The Escanaba boys got a much needed win here Saturday, topping the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils 59-48 in a non-conference basketball match-up on Parents’ Day.

Esky, which had dropped six straight games, improved to 4-9. Sault dropped to 2-9.

“That’s a nice win,” Esky coach Jake Berlinski said. “That’s really a confidence and morale boost. We were hoping for a big push in the third quarter, but they made a push back.”

Esky gained a 32-18 lead on a 20-foot jump shot from the left wing by junior Hayven Sandoval-Nolde seven seconds before halftime and led by as much as 43-25 on a 21-foot jumper by classmate Beau Racine midway through the third quarter.

The Blue Devils, however, didn’t just go away as they shaved their deficit to 43-33 on a layup by sophomore Benjamin James on a pass from junior Finley Johnson with 1:45 left in the third.

Esky then pushed its lead to 45-33 on a pair of free throws by Racine with 10.7 seconds remaining in the third.

Things then got a little more uncomfortable for the Eskymos as Sault trimmed its deficit to 45-38 on a 20-foot jumper from the left baseline by James early in the fourth stanza.

A 21-foot jumper by Racine gave Esky a 51-40 cushion halfway through the fourth.

Sault, however, crept within 51-44 on a jumper from the lane by senior Shade Booth and had a chance to shave its deficit to five points before turning the ball over with less than 3½ minutes left to play.

The Blue Devils still had reason to hope with 59.7 seconds remaining when senior Trevin Maleport drained a 10-foot floater from the left baseline, shaving their deficit to 55-47.

A fast break layup by Sandoval-Nolde, however, sealed the verdict moments later.

“We gave up too many offensive rebounds,” Sault coach Matt Miller said. “We probably gave up nine or 10. That was the difference.”

Sandoval-Nolde scored 27 points, two short of his career-high at Sault Dec. 12. Racine sparked the Eskymos off the bench with 17.

“Hayven played a fantastic basketball game,” Berlinski said. “He was finishing around the rim and has been doing that in practice. He had a good game against Forest Park (in Thursday’s 71-57 loss). Beau played a lot of minutes. I couldn’t be prouder and happier for him. Kudos to our guys for finishing the game.”

James led Sault with 16 points. Johnson added 11 and Booth had 10.

The Blue Devils committed 23 turnovers and hit 8-of-13 free throws.

“Turnovers and foul trouble hurt us,” Miller said. “Our press has come a long way and it’s showing in the number of points we’re allowing. We were giving up 70 points a game, but we’re starting to gain on it.”

Esky finished with 13 miscues, but struggled from the line where it hit 9-of-19 shots.

“We shoot for 12 turnovers, but we’re happy with 13,” Berlinski said. “Our philosophy is to keep the ball moving.”

The Esky jayvees also won 61-40 as did the freshmen 59-35.

Freshman Connor Asgaard led the Esky javyees with 14 points and Spencer Stupak added 11. Freshman Jordan James paced Sault with 14 and Kyan Hemenway had 10.

Esky led 39-16 at halftime.

The Eskymos host second-ranked Menominee Tuesday and visit fifth-ranked Kingsford Friday. The Blue Devils travel to Petoskey Tuesday.

Sault High 8 10 15 15 — 48

Escanaba 17 15 13 14 — 59

Sault Ste. Marie — Johnson 11, Gibson 2, Maleport 7, Fazzari 2, Booth 10, James 16. FT: 8-13; F: 23; Fouled out: Johnson, Fazzari; 3-point field goals: Johnson 2, James.

Escanaba — Sandoval-Nolde 27, T. Asgaard 2, Peacock 3, Fields 2, C. Asgaard 2, Racine 17, Cooper 6. FT: 9-19; F: 15; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Sandoval-Nolde 4, Racine 2.