Norway junior guard Hannah Burklund (3), shown here earlier in the season against Forest Park, led the Lady Knights with 10 points in Norway’s 64-38 loss to unbeaten Carney-Nadeau on Tuesday in Carney. Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo

CARNEY — The Norway Knights girls basketball team held a lead over unbeaten Carney-Nadeau after the opening eight minutes on Tuesday, but fell into foul trouble trying to defend first-team all-state center Tessa Wagner in the second quarter and eventually dropped a 64-38 decision to the Wolves in a Skyline Central Conference game at Carney.

“We had a nice first quarter but got into foul trouble with our bigs early and that limited their minutes the entire game,” Norway coach Joe Tinti said. “Andi (Carlson) got off to a hot start but picked up a few quick fouls that forced her to the bench in the second quarter.”

Carlson scored six points in the opening frame to help the Knights (4-3) take a 14-12 lead heading into the second. Wagner then scored nine of her game-high 22 points to lead her team to a 29-21 advantage at the break.

Tinti said his team came out of the locker room a bit flat and Carney-Nadeau (5-0) stretched its lead to 14 heading into the fourth.

“We came out of halftime a step slower than Carney as they picked up their intensity,” the Norway boss said. “We did go on a run in the third but we were never able to get it closer than 10.

The Wolves put the game out of reach in the fourth.

Hannah Burklund led the Knights with 10 points. Kali Stanchina hit Norway’s only two 3-pointers and scored eight points, while Carlson finished with seven.

“Carney is a well-polished team and Tessa had a nice night, like usual for her, and really limited our close range opportunities at times,” Tinti added.

Lady Trojans drop 6th straight

CRYSTAL FALLS — Superior Central steadily built its lead over the course of the game and upended Forest Park 57-28 on Tuesday at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium in Crystal Falls. The loss was the Lady Trojans’ sixth straight after opening the year with a win over North Central.

The Cougars (4-2) took an eight-point lead after the opening period and stretched out to a 27-12 edge at halftime. Superior Central then outscored Forest Park 30-16 over the final 16 minutes.

“Superior Central put the press on and we let it overwhelm us,” Forest Park coach Kim Bjork said. “They shot well from the 3-point line in the first half. We are having a difficult time putting four quarters of effort.”

Superior Central shot 6 of 9 from beyond the 3-point arc, while the Lady Trojans misfired on all eight of their attempts. The Cougars sank nine free throws to just two by Forest Park.

The Cougars were led by senior Emma Rutter who scored 13 points. Riley Johnson and Emily Augustyn added 10 points each.

Lauren Kudwa and Lily Post recorded eight points each to pace Forest Park.

Bjork said she is confident that her team’s fortunes will improve.

“We see a lot of potential in our girls and we are trying to get them to see the big picture,” she said. “It will come together for us.”

Jerry DeRoche can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 247, or at jderoche

@ironmountaindailynews.com.