IRON MOUNTAIN – in the first round of their MHSAA Division 3 District 66 semifinal game against Bark River-Harris on Wednesday, the Iron Mountain Mountaineers scuffled through first 16 minutes.

But down three at halftime, the Mountaineers roared back with a 23-6 third quarter en route to a 61-47 victory at Mountaineer Gym.

With the win, Iron Mountain (12-10) advances to the district final where they will meet the UPSSA Division 1-3 second-ranked Menominee Maroons (19-4) tonight in Menominee.

Charles Baldridge scored nine of his 11 points in the decisive third period, while Charles Anderson recorded five of his seven points and Brayden Kassin knocked down two 3-pointers as the Mountaineers turned a 30-27 halftime deficit into a 50-36 lead heading into the fourth.

“We started the game slow both offensively and defensively,” IM coach Kyle Johnson said. “Give Bark River credit, they hit some long threes.

“The guys responded with a great third quarter that separated us in the game. Charles Baldridge and Charles Anderson came alive for us in the second half. I’m proud of them for that.

Brayden Derouin buried two triples and Andy Johnson added another to spark BR-H (13-10) in the first half. Derouin eventually led his team with 17 points, while Johnson and Ben Knauf posted eight each.

Kassin led all scorers with 29 points, which included four 3-pointers and 9 of 11 from the free throw line.

Both teams sank six triples in the contest.

Johnson said his team is looking forward to the matchup against Menominee in tonight’s final. The Maroons defeated the Mountaineers 48-39 in the teams’ lone matchup of the regular season Feb. 2 in Iron Mountain.

BARK RIVER-HARRIS – McDonough 1 1-1 3, Derouin 5 5-6 17, Spear 1 5-7 7, Knauf 3 1-2 8, Johnson 2 2-3 8, Nelson 1 0-0 3, Seawright 0 1-2 1. Totals: 13 15-21 47. 3-point field goals: 6 (Derouin 2, Johnson 2, Knauf, Nelson).

IRON MOUNTAIN – Punzel 2 0-2 4, Kassin 8 9-11 29, Doty 1 0-0 2, Sgrecci 1 0-0 3, Wender 2 0-0 5, Anderson 3 1-1 7. Baldridge 5 1-1 11. Totals: 22 11-15 61. 3-point field goals: 6 (Kassin 4, Sgrecci, Wender).

—-

Compiled by Daily News sports correspondent Jerry DeRoche.