MARQUETTE — The fourth quarter was unkind to the Calumet girls Wednesday as they dropped a 45-32 basketball decision to the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils in the consolation game of the Marquette Shootout.

The Copper Kings trailed just 29-28 late in the third stanza, then fell victim to Sault’s 13-0 run which extended well into the fourth.

Ten turnovers in the second half compounded Calumet’s problems as they finished with 17.

“We weren’t making smart choices,” said Calumet coach Jeff Twardzik. “We go through periods of time where we can’t score. Although, they (Sault) played tough. We’ve been struck with illness, but we have to be able to adjust. With our youth, that’s something we have to get used to. They had more rotations than we did. They were able to go to their bench a little more. Overall, I’m proud of our effort.”

A lay-in by Senior Mikayla Scott climaxed that run, giving the Blue Devils a 42-28 advantage with less than five minutes left to play.

The Blue Devils (5-2), who appeared to go to their bench more often, limited the Copper Kings to four points in the fourth quarter. They had 10 turnovers, with only three in the second half.

“I thought our defense improved from last night (in Tuesday’s 56-36 loss to Marquette),” said Sault High coach Pat Bennin. “We were able to put a lot of pressure on them and keep them outside. Their big girl (6-foot-3 senior center Hailey Wickstrom) really had to work for her points and we have to credit our post players for that. Holding them to 14 points in the second half was huge. I thought we wore them down in the fourth quarter.”

Junior Brooke Karaniemi, who did all of Calumet’s scoring in the final eight minutes, finished with 15 points. Wickstrom added 10. The Copper Kings (3-3) host L’Anse Tuesday.

Sophmore Kayla Wilhelms paced Sault with 11 points in a reserve role. Junior center Valeta Gage, selected to the all-tournament team, added seven points and 10 rebounds.

“Valeta has been our most consistent player,” said Bennin. “She’s physical and tends to give opposing players some problems inside.”

Marquette retained its title in a 55-35 conquest of Petoskey. Junior forward Clhaudia Hale, the tourney’s Most Valuable Player, hit 17 points and senior guard Amber Huebner added 10 points and nine boards for the Redettes (7-1), whose pressure defense and quickness created problems for the Northmen.

The Redettes, who led just 38-34 early in the fourth, had 12 turnovers. Petoskey finished with 22.

The summary:

Calumet   11   7   10   4   —   32

Sault Ste. Marie   11   10   11   13   —   45

   Calumet — Anderson 3, Johnson 2, Sturos 2, Kariniemi 15, Wickstrom 10. F: 10; Fouled out: None.

   Sault Ste. Marie — Alaspa 4, Kalchik 4, Nagy 5, Wilhelms 11, LaLonde 3, Bell 7, Scott 4, Gage 7. F: 12; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Wihelms 2, Nagy, LaLonde, Bell.