ONTONAGON — A slow first quarter dug too big of a hole for the Ontonagon Gladiators boys basketball team on Tuesday as they lost to the Ironwood Red Devils, 54-48.

“We had a slow first quarter, but we’re able to close the gap by halftime,” said Gladiators coach Brittany Turin-Jilbert.

It was 13-3 in favor of the Red Devils after one quarter, and 25-21 at halftime.

“We just seemed really stagnant the first quarter and we’re not using our inside,” she said. “Some adjustment at the quarter worked well for us.”

The Gladiators made it a close one in the fourth, but could not catch up. Turin-Jilbert noted the some late game turnovers by her team, and great free throw shooting by Ironwood, sealed the game.

One positive for the Gladiators was that they sunk an impressive 12 triples.

Five of them came from Jerry Majurin, who led the scoring for the Gladiators with 15 points. Brody Majurin pumped in three and had 12 points on the night. Carson Uotila was also in double figures with 13.

“I was glad with how we fought all game, even with starting out slow,” said Turin-Jilbert. “But, turnovers, and a change in momentum, changed the late game.”

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Ontonagon hosts Wakefield on Friday.