Matt McCarthy/The Daily News North Central’s Bree Arsenault lays the ball up and around Menominee defender Anna Neret Tuesday night at Powers. Menominee defeated North Central 68-54.

POWERS — Despite a combined 45 points by Andie and Bree Arsenault, top-ranked Menominee remained unbeaten here Tuesday, topping North Central 68-54 in girls non-conference basketball.

Menominee, voted the unanimous No. 1 in the first U.P.S.S.A. basketball poll of the season, only led by one at the end of the first quarter. The Jets came out ready to play and kept their motor high throughout the game.

But as the second quarter began, the Jets started turning over the ball in their half-court offensive sets, which led to some fast break points for Menominee.

“We threw the ball away too much and missed too many easy shots and layups,” said NC head coach Lee Vincent.

The Maroons also had an offensive surge in the second quarter, outscoring the Jets 22-10 to take a 38-25 lead into the half.

Menominee center Emma Anderson, a junior playing her third year at the varsity level, led the Maroons with 21 points. Her game isn’t only in the paint or near the basket despite being well over six feet tall. She can also shoot from the outside and has very quick feet for someone of her stature.

The Maroons’ ball movement within their half-court sets was very fluent on the night, something that they’re accustomed to, according to head coach Lucas Chouinard.

“We practice ball movement a lot, stressing trying to get the ball to the most open player. Our motto is, good shots for great shots, making an extra pass to get a great or wide open shot,” Chouinard said. “I think the girls did a great job of that tonight. We had a mismatch with a much shorter girl guarding Emma (Anderson), and she did a good job and played well both inside and out tonight.”

In the second half, Jets unforced errors led to more Menominee fast-break points. The Jets turned the ball over 21 times on the night, while the Maroons gave it up 13 times.

The Maroons’ fluent offense continued in the second half as well.

“Our offense is dynamic, we’re just not Emma (Anderson), at any point in time, we have five players that can put pressure on the rim. On any given night, we can have different leading scorers and we’re playing very well as a team right now,” Chouinard said.

Josie Hofer netted 14 points for Menominee, while teammate Erin Barrette added 12 points

One thing the Jets did do a decent job with was breaking the Maroons press, especially in the early stages of the game.

“I think we did OK against their press,” said Vincent. “I am proud of how the girls played, they didn’t quit and played hard. Menominee is a good team and a Class B school.”

Next up for the Maroons (8-0) is a rivalry game with Marinette, Wis., on Monday at Menominee. The Jets, who fall to 4-2 on the season, host North Dickinson on Friday in Skyline Central Conference action.

The JV game was won by Menominee via forfeit, due to the Jets having injured and ill players, which put their roster under five players.

Menominee 16 22 15 15 — 68

N. Central 15 10 12 17 — 54

MENOMINEE: Hofer 14, Barrette 12, Wellner 3, Neret 8, Nolde 5, Anderson 21, Olson 5. FT: 17-24. F: 17. 3-point FG: Anderson (2), Hofer. Fouled Out: Olson. Rebounds 34

NORTH CENTRAL: Neville 2, Webber 3, Fleetwood 4, B. Arsenault 18. A. Arsenault 27. FT: 13-18. F: 19. 3-point FG: B. Arsenault (3), Webber, A. Arsenault (3). Fouled Out: Fleetwood.