IRON RIVER — Justin Nelson scored 21 points to lead West Iron to a 47-44 win over Negaunee in a boys basketball season opener Monday.

Nate Thomson added 16 points for the Wykons, who outscored the Miners 17-10 in the fourth quarter.

“It was back and forth the whole game,” said West Iron coach Dan Schive. “Really good at times and then sloppy. We just happened to make one extra shot.”

After a Nelson free throw, Negaunee’s final chance from half-court nearly banked in.

All 15 of West Iron’s second-quarter points came on triples.

The Wykons (1-0) travel to Kingsford tonight.

Negaunee 13 4 17 10 — 44

West Iron 4 15 11 17 — 47

NEGAUNEE: Johnson 15, Jacobetti 11, Loukkala 12, Sager 5, Jacobson 1. FT: 12-21. Fouled out: Loukkala.

WEST IRON: Nelson 21, Thomson 16, Ballinger 5, Anderson 3, Lundin 2. FT: 12-17. Fouled out: Lundin. 3-point FG: Nelson 2, Thomson 3, Ballinger, Anderson.