EWEN — The Republic-Michigamme boys basketball team was in a tight battle early with Ewen-Trout Creek Tuesday, but a rough second quarter caused the Hawks to fall behind and they were handed a 70-53 loss.

Eli Luokkala led R-M with 16 points, while Derek Koski had 11. Eric Abramson was E-TC’s offensive leader with 16.

The teams were tied 11-11 after the first quarter, but E-TC busted loose in the second, outscoring the Hawks 26-9 to take a 37-20 advantage into halftime. R-M tried to fight back in the third quarter, but the Panthers still led by 23 going into the fourth and the gap was too much for the Hawks to overcome.

R-M travels to Watersmeet tonight.