Norway's Jaclyn Bal defends Munising's Kelsea Ackerman on Tuesday in Norway. (Burt Angeli/The Daily News)

NORWAY — Top-ranked Munising needed a strong fourth quarter to put away Norway 61-41 in Skyline Central Conference action Tuesday.

The Mustangs, No. 1 among UP Class D teams, carried a 43-33 lead into the fourth quarter. Kianne Wendt scored a game-high 27 points.

“It’s a night and day difference,” said Norway head coach Joe Tinti in comparing his team’s 40-point loss to Bark River-Harris on Monday. “We played with them (Munising) for three quarters.

“We were in foul trouble the entire time and played with them.”

Norway (5-13, 3-6) had 21 fouls, with two girls fouling out. Munising converted 18 of 25 free throws.

“That was kind of a killer,” Tinti said.

Mikayla Faull had a team-high 10 points for the Knights, who trailed 13-12 after the first quarter and 29-22 at halftime.

“I’m real proud of the girls,” Tinti said. “This is a huge step in the right direction.”

Munising had 26 turnovers in the game and Norway had 25.

The Knights visit Superior Central on Tuesday.

Munising defeated Norway 36-32 in the junior varsity game.

Munising 13 16 14 18 — 61

Norway 12 10 11 8 — 41

MUNISING (61): Downs 2, Cotey 1, Wendt 27, K. Ackerman 5, M. Ackerman 4, Johnson 8, Fitzgibbon 6, Werner 8. FT: 18-25. F: 10. 3PT: Wendt 1, Johnson 2

NORWAY (41): Bal 8, H. Clifford 6, Fuson 4, Gyselinck 3, M. Clifford 6, Casanova 4, Faull 10. FT: 5-12. F: 21 (M. Clifford and VanHolla fouled out). 3PT: None.