“This was a very sluggish game for us,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “We looked tired and frustrated much of the game.”
NRHEG built a 41-22 lead by the halftime break. The Panthers outscored WEM by 10 points in the second half.
NRHEG connected on 39 percent of its shots from the floor.
Carlie Wagner led three Panthers into double figures with a 28-point evening.
Katie Cole flipped in 13 points and Jade Schultz finished with 11. Maddie Wagner contributed eight points off the bench.
Schultz drilled two three-pointers, with Cole and Maddie Wagner both nailing one.
Carlie Wagner and Schultz handed out five assists apiece, one more than Cole.
Brittany Buesgens was the lone Buccaneer to reach double figures with 14 points. Kalley Kendall added eight.
WEM shot 36 percent from the floor, taking 35 fewer shots than the Panthers.
NRHEG finished with a 39-30 rebounding advantage. Carlie Wagner snared nine rebounds, Schultz snatched eight boards, Cole pulled down seven caroms and Hannah Lundberg grabbed five rebounds.
NRHEG’s defense had 24 steals in the game, including six by Carlie Wagner, five from Maddie Wagner and four by Lundberg.
WEM was guilty of 33 turnovers, compared to just 12 for the Panthers.
“We forced a lot of turnovers, but did not cash in on them,” said Schultz. “I thought we showed some signs of fatigue tonight.”
The NRHEG junior varsity rolled to a 54-19 victory.
Blooming Prairie
NEW RICHLAND – The Panthers used a formula that has worked often this season Friday. NRHEG jumped out to a quick lead and coasted to a 77-41 victory over Blooming Prairie.
The Blossoms, who lost to NRHEG 79-52 earlier this year, fell to 10-4 (3rd) in the Gopher Conference and 16-8 overall.
Schultz and Carlie Wagner got the Panthers off to a great start. Schultz nailed her first four three-point shots and Wagner was all over the court with 14 early points as NRHEG jumped in front 26-8, before settling for a 49-18 margin at the intermission.
Wagner poured in 22 points in the first half and Schultz fired in 14.
The Panthers eased off on their pressure in the second half, settling for a 28-23 advantage.
“We shot well in the first half and then kind of sat on the lead and cooled off,” said Schultz. “Blooming Prairie rebounded well,” said Schultz. “I thought they did a nice job offensively in the second half.”
NRHEG shot 42 percent from the floor.
Carlie Wagner drilled three treys and 7-10 free throws during a 36-point performance. She also handed out six assists,
Schultz and Marnie “Ice” Wagner both dropped four three-pointers, scoring 14 and 12 points respectively. Schultz contributed five assists and three steals.
Paige Overgaard chipped in with eight points for the winners.
BP was just 1-20 behind the arc and shot 25 percent from the field.
Sophomore Taylor Hagen and Tori Poe scored 11 points apiece to pace the Blossoms.
NRHEG ended up with a slim 35-34 advantage on the boards. Schultz ripped down 12 rebounds, Lundberg yanked down seven boards and Carlie Wagner grabbed five caroms.
BP ended up with 14 turnovers, three more than the Panthers.
“Everyone is contributing on defense and our transition game was in full power,” said Schultz. “Our kids are playing their roles well.”
Grant Berg’s Panther JV squad improved to 21-1 with a 64-28 victory over the Blossoms.
NRHEG will open South Sub-Section 2AA play as the No. 1 seed with a home game Tuesday.
The sub-section semifinals will be held at Mankato East March 1.
NRHEG 73, WEM 44
WEM 22 22 44
NRHEG 41 32 73
NRHEG (73): C. Wagner 28, Cole 13, Schultz 11, Mad. Wagner 8, Lundberg 6, Mar. Wagner 5, Overgaard 2. FG: 30-77 (39%).
NRHEG 77, Blooming Pr. 41
BP 18 23 41
NRHEG 49 28 77
NRHEG (73): C. Wagner 36, Schultz 14, Mar. Wagner 12, Overgaard 8, Mad. Wagner 4, Cole 2, Crabtree 1. FG: 27-64 (42%, 11-28 3-pters.), FT: 12-16 (75%), PF: 15 (Schultz out), TP-77.
NEXT: Tuesday – South Sub-Sect. 2AA quarterfinals, TBD at NRHEG, 7 p.m.
