GLADSTONE — The Gladstone boys were unable to keep pace with Ishpeming Westwood for four quarters here Tuesday night in a 73-44 basketball loss to the No. 3-ranked Patriots.

Gladstone trailed 49-37 after the third frame, then was outscored 24-7 in the final eight minutes of this Mid-Peninsula Conference match-up.

The Braves were within 46-37 late in the third before the Patriots answered with a 19-0 run.

“We told the guys to stay the course and tried to add a few things,” Patriots’ coach Luke Gray said. “Early in the game, they were aggressive on the glass and we were outscored by six to 10 points in that little area of the game. They moved the ball well and did a good job attacking the glass.”

The Patriots scored on seven layups during their decisive run, including one by junior Ethan Marta for an insurmountable 65-37 advantage with less than three minutes left to play.

Junior Aaron Pizziola started that run with a 20-foot jump shot from the left wing, giving Westwood a 49-37 advantage.

A layup by Marta opened the fourth quarter. Senior Preston Argall added a fast break layup and Marta sank a five-foot running jumper and the Patriots were off to the races.

Braves’ freshman Alex Prins ended that run with a layup of his own, although it wasn’t nearly enough on this night.

Westwood took a 17-7 lead on a pair of free throws by Argall with 47 seconds left in the opening frame.

A layup by senior Tristan Miller gave the Patriots a 25-16 cushion with 5:20 remaining in the second.

The Braves responded with a 5-0 run, shaving their deficit to 25-21 late in the second.

A gifter by senior Reid Frustaglio and steal and layup by Miller put the Patriots up 28-21 before a 21-foot jumper from the left wing by Davey brought the Braves within 28-24 shortly before halftime.

Marta scored 24 points. Miller added 15 and Frustaglio had 11 for the Patriots, who committed 13 turnovers.

“Ethan Marta is an exceptional player,” Gray said. “Thirteen turnovers isn’t too bad, although that’s a little more than we’d like.”

Gladstone hosts Kingsford tonight at 7:15 and Westwood hosts Houghton tonight.

Box score

Westwood 17 11 21 24 — 73

Gladstone 10 14 13 7 — 44

Ishpeming Westwood — Ridl 7, Argall 4, Balzarini 2, Grove 2, Marta 24, Frustaglio 11, Grondz 3, Miller 15, Pizziola 3. FT: 7-10; F: 11; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Miller 2, Ridl, Grondz, Pizziola

Gladstone — Gereau 1, Davey 17, Prins 12, Woelffer 2, Sadler 3, Hughes 4, Farnes 5. FT: 3-8; F: 11; Fouled out: None; 3-point field goals: Davey 3