ESCANABA — Escanaba girls basketball got off to a fast start but they could not maintain it as they fell 54-32 to Menominee here Tuesday.

The Eskymos jumped out to a 14-7 lead after one quarter of play. Lily VanDamme knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the opening quarter and Landry Bray also had a pair of baskets in the first quarter.

“We played the best first quarter we have all year,” Eskymos coach Tracy Hudson said. “We played really balanced on both side of the ball and Lily and Landry both played very well on both sides of the ball,”

The Maroons outscored the Eskymos 19-6 in the second quarter a quarter in which the Eskymos have had their difficulties this entire season.

“We just couldn’t keep it together,” Hudson said. “I’m proud of our girls they fought hard and didn’t give up against a really good team and I think we got some confidence even with the loss by how we played at the start of the game.”

Menominee outscored the Eskymos 28-12 in the second half on their way to victory.

The Eskymos were led by Bray with 10 points Ava Stalboerger had eight points and VanDamme had seven.

The Eskymos return to action Tuesday as they host Marquette.

Menominee 7 19 17 11 — 54

Escanaba 14 6 8 4 — 32

Menominee — Linsmeier 14, Coduti 10, Ri. Milostan 9, Olsen 2, Barker 2, Marineau 13, Ry. Milostan 4. FT: 11-15; F: 16; Fouled Out: None; 3-pointers: Coduti, Ri. Millostan.

Escanaba — Beauchamp 1, VanDamme 7, Moberg 3, Bray 10, Stalboerger 8, Anderson 3. FT: 7-18; F: 15; Fouled Out: None; 3-pointers: VanDamme 2, Anderson.