Negaunee coach Mike O’Donnell, middle right, talks to his Miners during a timeout in a high school game played against Westwood at the Miners’ gym in Negaunee on Dec. 19. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

MANISTIQUE — The Negaunee girls appeared to be in the driver’s seat after the third quarter of an MHSAA Division 2 regional basketball semifinal game here on Monday night.

That, however, was followed by a disastrous fourth frame as the Miners dropped a 49-42 decision to Petoskey.

The Northmen (21-3) were set to face Big Rapids (20-4) in the regional final on Wednesday as Negaunee finished a still spectacular season at 23-2.

Negaunee took a 38-26 lead on a buzzer-beating jump shot from the lane by junior Gretel Johnson to end the third quarter.

Suddenly, though, the Miners couldn’t buy a bucket in the fourth period and were outscored 23-4 over the final eight minutes.

“We had two bad quarters tonight,” Negaunee coach Mike O’Donnell said. “We had a phenomenal third quarter, then there was a lid on the basket in the fourth.

“We couldn’t get anything to go. Credit to Petoskey. They made some big plays. They went out and won the game and we couldn’t finish.

“It all started when they drained a 3-(pointer at the beginning of the fourth). After that point, we couldn’t get any momentum back.”

It started a 15-0 run for the Northmen, who surged to a 43-38 lead on a pair of free throws by freshman center Ella Sulitis with 1:47 left.

Johnson split a pair of gifters to make it 43-39 with 1:31 remaining.

Petoskey then converted enough free throws down the stretch to secure the decision.

“We have a group of girls who refuse to lose,” Petoskey coach Brooke Carlson said. “They believe in themselves and each other.

“We knew we had to play solid defense. We hit some shots and had good offensive possession. We knew they were going to be in our face.”

Senior Clare O’Donnell sank a pair of free throws to give the Miners a 17-9 lead with 1:27 remaining in the opening quarter.

A 20-foot jumper by junior Keira Waterman gave Negaunee a 19-11 cushion early in the second.

Petoskey then scored eight unanswered points, tying the score at 19-19 with 2:20 left until halftime.

Negaunee regained the lead on a layup by Waterman, followed by a running 15-foot jumper by Waterman at the halftime buzzer for a 23-19 halftime cushion.

Clare O’Donnell opened the third quarter with a jumper from the boulevard, then added a free throw and 19-foot jumper for a 28-22 lead near the midpoint of the third.

The Northmen were within 30-26 following a gifter by Sulitis with 2:08 remaining in the period.

Negaunee responded with eight unanswered points for their 12-point advantage at the end of the third.

“We wanted to keep going, but couldn’t do it,” Coach O’Donnell said. “There’s no shame in losing to Petoskey. They have excellent coaches and are starting two freshmen and a sophomore.

“They’re not going anywhere, which means we have to go back to the drawing board and get better.”

Johnson scored 14 points and Clare O’Donnell added 12 for the Miners. Flynn hit 18 and Sulitis had 16 for the Northmen.

Both teams committed 11 turnovers.

Petoskey 49, Negaunee 42

MHSAA Division 2 semifinals

Monday at Manistique

Score by quarters:

Petoskey 9 10 7 23 — 49

Negaunee 17 6 15 4 — 42

Individual scoring & team statistics:

PETOSKEY — Flynn 18, Brombley 3, James 6, L. Silitis 2, LaHaie 2, E. Sulitis 16, Dieterle 2. FT: 13-19; Fouls: 15; Fouled out: LaHaie; 3-point field goals: Flynn 2, Brombley, James.

NEGAUNEE — Rogers 5, Johnson 14, Waterman 8, Park 3, C. O’Donnell 12. FT: 8-14; Fouls: 18; Fouled out: P. O’Donnell, Rogers; 3-point field goals: Johnson 2, C. O’Donnell.

Story contents based on email received from (person). Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.