MSHS expanded a narrow 44-41 lead after three quarters by outscoring their hosts 25-16 in the final period.

This was a repeat of last year’s opener for Alpena, facing Marquette, with the result not quite the same when MSHS played at home and won by 30 points.

“All things considered, I was super pleased with how we competed and played tonight,” Wildcats coach John Pintar said. “This is a massive improvement from last season, and I thought our defensive effort was excellent.”

Marquette got off to a fast start, going ahead 9-2.

A group of players from both teams surround an Alpena shooter during the Wildcats game against Marquette played in Alpena on Friday night. (Alpena News photo by Steve Jakubcin)

But Alpena was able to settle down following its first few minutes of the season as Marquette was playing game No. 2 after a 15-point home victory over Gladstone on Tuesday.

The Wildcats scored six straight points to get back in it, down only 9-8 after one quarter.

Baskets by Alpena’s Tucker Bright and Easton Srebnik got the Wildcats into their first tie at 20-20, while Marquette’s Jacob MacPhee answered with several baskets just before halftime to keep the visitors ahead 25-22 at intermission. MacPhee scored seven points in the opening half.

Alpena was given another opportunity to stay close as MSHS was whistled for a technical foul to start the third quarter for having six players on the court. Bright made both free throws to make it 25-24, then was followed by teammate Connor Cameron knocking down a 3-pointer for the Wildcats’ first lead of the night, 27-25.

Later in the quarter, Cameron hit another 3 that retied it 33-33, though Marquette grabbed a three-point lead headed into the fourth.

One of Alpena’s downfalls last season in its 3-20 campaign, an inability to close out games, plagued them again on Friday.