After a tight first half, the Calumet Copper Kings put the clamps down on the Chassell Panthers in the second half in girls basketball play Monday.

Holding a slim 23-18 lead after two quarters, the Copper Kings allowed CHS just seven points over the final two quarters on the way to a 52-23 non-conference win at Helakoski Gym.

Calumet coach Matt Laho said he talked to his team at halftime about cleaning up on defense.

“We weren’t very disciplined on defense in the first half,” Laho said. “In the second half, we improved and that made a big difference.”

Panthers head coach Bill Sleeman said his team got away from doing the things they were in the first half.

“We just came out slow in the second half and we definitely didn’t look like we belonged on the same floor with them,” Sleeman said. “It was like two different halves.”

When you’re playing a solid team, you can’t afford a lot of turnovers like we did tonight.

Playing without starting center Lizzie Torola (illness), Calumet got some solid play from backup Laura Giachino.

“She (Giachino) came in and gave us some solid play,” Laho said. “She battled under the basket against their tall girls.”

Calumet led 11-4 after one quarter and made it the aforementioned 23-18 by halftime.

Jana Loukus, who led the winners with 12 points, netted nine in the first half.

Copper Kings’ Elli Djerf, who had an off night, helped her team in the second half with her defensive play and passing.

“That’s the thing about a player like Elli, she can pick up a team in many ways,” Laho said. “She does it in a lot of ways.”

Calumet (7-3) was led by Loukus with 12 markers. Djerf added nine points, flour assists and six rebounds.

Marybeth Halonen had a solid game with 8 points and 9 rebounds.

The Panthers are now 6-6 on the season. Paige Sleeman topped the Panthers with 10 points and eight rebounds. Maelene Warren tossed in nine points.

Calumet hosts Marquette Wednesday, while Chassell goes to Houghton on Friday.

Calumet 11 12 14 15 — 51

Chassell 4 14 2 5 — 23

CALUMET (51): Djerf 9, Loukus 12, Giachino 8, Anderson 4, Halonen 8, Sturos 4, Strom 2, Johnson 2. FT: 11-20. Rebounds: 33 (Halonen 9). F: 16. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Sturos 1.

CHASSELL (23): Sleeman 10, Warren 9, J. Huhta 2, N. Huhta 2, Palosaari 2. FT: 7-12. Rebounds: 25 (Sleeman 8). F: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG Sleeman 1, Warren 1.