NRHEG jumped to a 19-4 lead to start the game, riding the scoring of juniors Carlie Wagner and Jade Schultz. Mankato slowed down the game and went to its inside strength to cut into the lead.
The Panthers left the court with a 42-31 advantage, thanks to 21 points from Wagner and another 11 from Schultz.
Claire Ziegler scored 10 points in the first half for East, one more than Taylor Karge.
NRHEG never trailed in the game, but Mankato did cut the lead to five points in the second half. Eighth-grader Maddie “Fire” Wagner nailed three consecutive three-pointers to put NRHEG back in control.
NRHEG fired up 76 shots in the game, connecting on 36 percent from the floor. The Panthers were 8-26 behind the arc and 16-24 from the foul line.
Mankato took 13 fewer shots but hit on 43 percent of its fielders. The Cougars made 5-17 threes and 9-16 free throws.
Carlie Wagner poured in 32 points to pace the Panthers. She hit five triples and was 5-6 at the free throw line.
Schultz, an 8-12 foul shooter, added 17 points. Maddie Wagner scored 16 points, hitting four three-pointers.
Hannah Lundberg dished out seven assists, Carlie Wagner handed out six assists and Schultz passed out four assists.
Ziegler pumped in 27 points for East, and Karge flipped in 23, but no one else had more than six points for the Cougars.
NRHEG held a 48-37 rebounding advantage, including 22-13 on the offensive boards.
Schultz yanked down 12 rebounds, Carlie Wagner snared 10 boards, Lundberg grabbed seven caroms and Paige Overgaard corralled six boards.
Ziegler yanked down 18 rebounds for the visitors.
Schultz and Carlie Wagner had four steals apiece for NRHEG, and Wagner also blocked three shots.
East committed 21 turnovers in the game, eight more than NRHEG.
“Our pressure defense was the only thing that took them out of their rhythm. They have the ability to score lots of points and they did,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “We outhustled them down the stretch which was the difference in the game.”
NRHEG defeated Mankato East 50-46 in the junior varsity game.
Randolph
NEW RICHLAND – NRHEG scored the first 31 points of the game to cruise to an easy 67-19 victory over Randolph in New Richland Friday.
The Rockets fell to 1-4 in the conference and 6-8 overall.
NRHEG, which won 75-22 and 73-28 in two meetings a year ago, led 47-5 at the break. Carlie Wagner scored 20 points and Schultz chipped in with 13 for the Panthers.
Coach Schultz platooned five players at a time in the second half to finish with just a 20-14 scoring advantage.
NRHEG shot 43 percent from the floor, making 5-19 threes. NRHEG was 10-19 from the foul stripe.
Randolph only got off 34 shots, making 18 percent. The Rockets were 0-9 behind the arc and 7-19 on free throws.
Carlie Wagner and Schultz combined for 41 points, 24 by Wagner. Both players had a pair of three-pointers.
Marnie Wagner, Abby Crabtree and Raelin Schue added six points apiece.
Carlie Wagner and Lundberg passed out four assists apiece, with Wagner also making five steals.
Maddie Taylor led Randolph with five points.
NRHEG controlled the backboards 39-16. The Panthers had 19 offensive boards.
Schultz earned her double-double with 12 rebounds, and Maddie Wagner grabbed six boards.
“It’s tough to get ready for a team you know you should beat,” said Schultz. “But we played well and showed great hustle.”
Coach Grant Berg’s JV team improved to 10-0 with a 49-29 win over the Rockets.
NRHEG plays at Blooming Prairie Friday. The Blossoms are tied for first place with the Panthers at 5-0.
USC comes to town Jan. 25.
NRHEG 78, East 68
East 31 37 68
NRHEG 42 36 78
NRHEG (78): C. Wagner 32, Schultz 21, Mad. Wagner 16, Schue 3, Cole 2, Lundberg 2, Overgaard 2, Mar. Wagner 0, Crabtree 0, Stork 0. FG: 27-76 (36%, 8-26 3-pters.), FT: 16-24 (67%), PF: 15, TP-78.
NRHEG 67, Randolph 19
Randolph 5 14 19
NRHEG 47 20 67
NRHEG (67): C. Wagner 24, Schultz 17, Schue 6, Mar. Wagner 6, Crabtree 6, Mad. Wagner 4, Cole 2, Overgaard 2, Lundberg 0, Stork 0. FG: 26-61 (43%, 5-19 3-pters.), FT: 10-19 (53%), PF: 19, TP-67.
NEXT: Friday – NRHEG at Blooming Prairie, 7:15 p.m.
