The Panthers scored the first 14 points of the game and were never in trouble.
Carlie Wagner scored 19 points in the first half, with Jade Schultz and Maddie Wagner adding six apiece, sparking NRHEG to a huge 40-11 lead at the intermission.
USC had just two baskets from the floor the entire first half, and no Rebel scored more than three points.
Most of the Panther regulars were out of the game at the 10-minute mark of the second half, and the final nine minutes were running time as the lead ballooned past 35 points.
NRHEG shot 44 percent from the floor, making 6-19 three-pointers. The Panthers hit 14-21 free throws.
USC made 48 percent of its fielders, including 1-6 behind the arc. The Rebels dropped only 11-26 free throws.
Carlie Wagner finished with 33 points to pace the Panthers. 131 points in NRHEG’s first four games. “The Dagger” nailed three triples.
Schultz added 12 points, scoring six in each half. She had a pair of three-pointers and was 4-5 from the foul line. Wagner dished out six assists, two more than Schultz.
Marnie and Maddie Wagner provided some firepower off the bench. “Ice” scored nine points and “Fire” added seven.
Amanda Allis led the Rebels with 11 points, eight in the second half.
Anissa Janzig and Taylor Steckelberg chipped in with five points apiece.
NRHEG held a 30-22 rebounding advantage over the taller Rebels. Schultz pulled down six rebounds for the winners, Maddie Wagner snared five boards and Carlie Wagner, Raelin Schue and Paige Overgaard grabbed four caroms apiece.
Carlie Wagner came up with seven steals on defense.
“Our goal was to keep Allis from getting the ball offensively and we did a good job of that,” said Schultz. “Our girls showed great hustle and we need to do that every night.”
The Panthers forced USC into 20 turnovers, while committing 12 of their own.
NRHEG will be at home tomorrow when Faribault BA comes to town. The Cardinals are 5-0, and took the Panthers into overtime before losing last year.
NRHEG has a nonconference game against Southland in Adams Tuesday.
NRHEG 76, USC 32
NRHEG 40 36 76
USC 11 23 32
NRHEG (76): C. Wagner 33, Schultz 12, Mar. Wagner 9, Mad. Wagner 7, Crabtree 6, Lunberg 3, Cole 2, Overgaard 2, Stork 2, Schue 0. FG: 28-63 (44%, 6-19 3-pters.), FT: 14-21 (67%), PF: 22, TP-76.
USC (32): Allis 11, Janzig 5, Steckelberg 5, Leland 4, Goemann 3, Schultz 3, Eilertson 1. FG: 10-21 (48%, 1-6 3-pters.), FT: 11-26 (42%), PF: 15, TP-32.
NEXT: Friday-Faribault BA at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.
