Gladstone senior Teagan Reynolds contests a 3-point shot by Escanaba senior Lennox Peacock on Feb. 20, 206 at Gladstone High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA – The Gladstone Braves used a 16-1 run over the last 3:00 of the third and the whole fourth quarter to erase an 11-point deficit to defeat the Escanaba Eskymos 56-52 here Friday.

“We challenged the guys at halftime,” Gladstone coach Jake Keisby said. “We told them it was the final home game of the year and we told them to step up and not be out-worked by your opponent and I feel like we really turned it up defensively in the second half.”

Escanaba junior Braden Cooper drove to the basket for a layup to put the Eskymos up 51-40.

Gladstone sophomores Alex Prins and Will Inghram each hit a pair of free throws and Tre Brunette made a fast drive to the basket for the layup and the foul. Brunette converted on the three-point play to cut the deficit to 51-47. The Braves closed the third quarter on a layup by Lonnie Davey to cut the deficit to two.

“We got in the bonus after their fifth foul,” Prins said. We knew we had to keep attacking and get to the basket and to the free throw line and get some easy baskets.”

The Braves had the only field goal of the fourth quarter as Brunette drove to the basket for a layup to tie the game at 51. The Braves added five free throws to the Eskymos one to close the game.

Inghram led the way for the Braves with 13 points and Prins added 12. The Eskymos were led by Hayven Sandoval-Nolde with 18 points, Braden Cooper added 16 and Lennox Peacock had 11.

Gladstone won the JV game 46-38.

“It was big for us to get this one,” Gladstone’s Ryder Amis said. “It is big for us to get a share of the conference title.”

The Braves travel to Negaunee on Wednesday for a district semifinal.

Escanaba 20 13 18 1 – 52

Gladstone 14 15 20 7 – 56

Escanaba – Sandoval-Nolde 18, Hejmej 3, T. Asgaard 2, Peacock 11, C. Asgaard 1, Racine 1, Cooper 16. FT: 5-12; F: 24; Fouled Out: Sandoval-Nolde, T. Asgaard; 3-pointers: Peacock 3, Sandoval-Nolde, Cooper, Hejmej.

Gladstone – Brunette 7, Miron 6, Lo. Davey 6, A. Prins 12, Dereau 3, Inghram 13, Reynolds 8. FT: 17-35; F: 12; Fouled Out: None; 3-pointers: Prints 2, Miron, Gereau, Inghram.