The Bucs got within six points with 14:15 remaining, but the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to get the lead back to double digits and they never looked back.
“We played our game tonight,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “Our pressure worked just enough to create some distance in the game. Our other half-court defenses worked as well. It was a great team effort to keep (Krista) Hassing to just nine points and just two of them in the second half. The last time she scored 30 on us. Carlie Wagner knifed through their defense all night and Jade Schultz hit a number of threes to keep them honest. Anna Schlaak was big on the boards again and Maddie Wagner gave us some very quality minutes and hit a crucial three in the second half. Our kids played very poised and everyone played their roles well.”
Carlie Wagner, as she has all season, sparked the Panthers with 35 points, four rebounds, six assists, six steals and two blocked shots. Others: Jade Schultz 17 points, seven rebounds; Schlaak seven points, nine rebounds, four steals, three blocks; Maddie Wagner three points, Hannah Lundberg two points; Raelin Schue two points; Marnie Wagner one point.
Camille Driscoll led BEA with 21 points.
The Panthers outrebounded the Bucs 30-24 and had 13 turnovers to 18 for BEA.
Like Blue Earth Area, St. Peter is a team the Panthers defeated earlier this season, 70-44 in a Dec. 29 holiday tournament game.
