(Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo) Norway junior hoopster Michael Peterson (20) puts up a shot over North Central’s Jesse Sampson (22) in Monday night’s clash between the two Skyline Conference foes. Peterson scored 13 for the host Knights. But that wasn’t enough, as the visiting Jets went home with a 57-44 win.

NORWAY — North Central hit six 3-pointers in the first half to take a double-digit lead and held Norway at bay the rest of the way as the Jets knocked off the Knights 57-44 in a Skyline Conference game on Monday at Norway.

Bryson Mercier knocked down three triples, while Bradey Anderson hit two to spark the unbeaten Jets to a 34-20 lead at the halftime break. Collin Cordy came off the bench to score 11 points in the first half to provide North Central (6-0) with a big boost in the opening 16 minutes.

“Bryson and Collin really stepped up in the first half coming off the bench and giving us scoring,” Jets’ head coach Mike Malone said. “Some of my guys got in foul trouble early and the bench stepped up big.”

“Credit to them, they shot the ball extremely well in the first half and we dug ourselves a hole,” Norway coach Jeff Gallino said. “Mercier hurt us and Cordy had a nice game off the bench.”

On the other hand, the Knights (2-2) scuffled in the opening quarter while scoring just five points. They picked things up in the second quarter with 15 points, but trailed throughout the game.

Alex Ortman recorded 10 of his game-high 25 points in the opening half to help keep his team in the game. Michael Peterson chipped in with 13 points for Norway as the duo combined for 38 points, 86 percent of the Knights’ output.

“I thought we competed all game, but we have to shoot better from the line and be able to make open layups when we get them,” Gallino said.

North Central junior Connor Florenski logged 10 of his team’s 12 points in the third quarter as the Jets held a 46-29 advantage heading down the stretch. Florenski finished with a team-beset 20 points.

Malone credited starting forward Jesse Sampson for his all-around effort.

“Jesse Sampson played a great hustle game, lot of assists, lot of rebounds and set some really good screens to free guys up,” Malone said.

Despite the win, Malone clearly saw some deficiencies in his team during the game.

“(We) rebounded well at times and poorly at other times,” he said. “All around I’ll take the win, but we have lots of weaknesses to shore up before March.”

Patriots fall at Bonduel 66-54

BONDUEL — Jon Sell scored 22 points and Reece Stoltenow added 21 to push Bonduel past Goodman-Pembine 66-54 in boys basketball nonconference action Monday in Bonduel.

The Bears held a 35-32 lead over the Patriots at halftime, but Goodman-Pembine was outscored 31-22 in the second half to suffer the loss.

Boone Larison paced the Patriots with 22 points. The senior scored 16 points in the first half, which included four 3-pointers.

The Patriots only shot four free throws in the contest, hitting one. Meanwhile, Bonduel attempted 29 and sank 14.

Ryan Ehlert added 12 points for the Patriots, nine in the second half.

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