The Panthers were never in serious trouble the entire game. NRHEG scored the first 12 points and cruised to a 42-23 advantage at the break.
Wagner singed the nets for 28 first-half points and Jade “Jewel” Schultz knocked down three triples.
Taryn Ashley scored eight points for FBA, the only player on her team with more than three points.
“Carlie was tough to stop on the break and in our half-court offense,” said NRHEG head coach John Schultz. “Jade buried enough three’s to make them adjust their defense.”
FBA played much better offensively in the second half, actually outscoring the Panthers 30-28. However, the Cardinals never narrowed the lead to single digits.
Taylor Schwab fired in nine second-half points and Ashley flipped in six more for the visitors.
Wagner fired in another quick 13 points, and Schultz added seven, before both retired to the bench midway through the final half.
“I thought our girls played hard defensively to slow down a potent FBA offense,” said Schultz. “We had 22 steals and only six turnovers. The kids did a great job executing their roles tonight.”
NRHEG shot 46 percent from the floor, despite making only 6-17 behind the arc. The Panthers nailed 10-15 free throws.
Wagner finished with 41 points, hitting 16-31 shots and all seven of her free throws. She also handed out six assists.
Schultz ended up with 16 points, making three triples. She was a 5-11 shooter from the floor.
Five more Panthers scored, but no one had more than four points. Hannah Lundberg dished out seven assists.
FBA nailed 56 percent of its shots, but got off just 36 attempts. The Cards were 4-12 from three-point range and 9-20 from the charity stripe.
Ashley paced Faribault with 14 points, Schwab tossed in 12 and Jesse Mathews ended up with 10.
NRHEG managed a 27 to 26 rebounding advantage.
Schultz grabbed six rebounds for the winners, Lundberg snared five boards and Wagner added four caroms.
Schwab pulled down nine rebounds for the Cardinals.
Wagner had 10 steals on defense, and Lundberg managed another seven.
NRHEG did a great job taking care of the ball with just six turnovers. The Cardinals had 30 miscues in the contest.
NRHEG is back on the road Friday, tangling with Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton in a Gopher Conference contest. The Bulldogs are 2-3 this season.
NRHEG will play in the St. Peter Holiday Tournament Dec. 28-29. The Panthers will square off against Hutchinson in a 2 p.m. game the first day.
NRHEG 70, FBA 53
FBA 23 30 53
NRHEG 42 28 70
NRHEG (70): C. Wagner 41, Schultz 16, Schue 4, Mar. Wagner 3, Lundberg 2, Cole 2, Mad. Wagner 2, Overgaard 0, Crabtree 0, Stork 0. FG: 27-59 (46%, 6-17 3-pters.), FT: 10-15 (67%) PF-18, TP-70.
NEXT: Friday – NRHEG at JWP, 7:15 p.m.
