POWERS — A reversal of fortune worked to North Central’s advantage here Monday night in a 65-53 boys’ basketball triumph over the Bark River-Harris Broncos.

Everything seemed to be going the Broncos’ way midway through the third quarter of this Skyline Central Conference match-up when they gained a 40-27 lead on a free throw by junior Trenton Wood-Keshick.

A six-foot running jump shot by North Central senior Cole Timblin then ignited a 19-5 run as the Jets closed within 46-45 on a buzzer-beating 22-foot jumper from the right wing by senior Noah Gorzinski in the third.

The fourth stanza offered more of the same as the Jets gained the upper hand on a 12-foot running jumper by freshman Luke Gorzinski.

“Our pressure (defense) took its toll a little,” said Jets’ coach Mike Malone. “We ran that in stages and tried to throw their guards off a little. We’re a tempo team and everybody knows it. Other teams try to get us into a half-court game.”

The Broncos were still within 49-47 following a free throw by junior Nick Javurek with seven minutes left to play.

North Central answered with a 7-0 run, taking a 56-47 lead at 4:56 when Timblin drove through the lane for a layup.

BR-H, which failed to hit a field goal in the fourth frame, got no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

“You have to play four quarters,” said BR-H coach Marc Zawacki. “You can’t go without a field goal in the fourth quarter and expect to win. We expected to see pressure defense and I thought we handled it pretty well, but they hit some shots at the right time.”

Luke Gorzinski led the Jets (3-0) with 26 points. Noah Gorzinski added 13 and senior Brien Gronmark had 11. Wood-Keshick paced the Broncos (2-1) with 20 points. Senior Riley Bray scored 12.

“I think the Wood kid is pretty good,” said Malone. “I liked what I saw from him. He did a fantastic job. We had a hard time matching up with him inside.”

The Jets committed 13 turnovers. The Broncos finished with 19, including 10 in the first half.

“We had a height advantage and we were trying to utilize that,” said Zawacki. “Only, we tried to force a few things. We have to find a balance. How we’re going to bounce back is what we have to look at. It’s just a matter of making adjustments. We have to respond.”

The Jets, who also won the jayvee game 52-25, host Menominee Jan. 3. The Broncos visit Mid Peninsula for a make-up game Jan. 3.

Bark River-Harris 10 21 14 7 — 53

North Central 13 12 20 20 — 65

Bark River-Harris — Bray 12, Javurek 6, Wood-Keshick 20, J. Robinette 4, Zawacki 5, Stein 4, Lippens 2. FT: 17-23; F: 21; Fouled out: Javurek; Technical foul: J. Robinette.

North Central — Gronmark 11, Timblin 4, N. Gorzinski 13, Riley 4, Luke Gorzinski 26, Leo Gorzinski 2, Chartier 2, Casperson 3. FT: 11-21; F: 20; Fouled out: Timblin, Luke Gorzinski; 3-point field goals: Gronmark 2, N. Gorzinski 2, Luke Gorzinski 2.