NRHEG shot the ball extremely well in the first half.
Kevin Kalis scored eight points, Macoy Schwierjohann seven and Nic Mangskau and Oakley Baker six points apiece for the Panthers. Schwierjohan drilled a half-court shot to end the first half.
“We probably played the best half of basketball that we played all year in the first half,” said Churchill. “We were active and getting after it on defense, making them take jumpers. Offensively, we were patient, got good looks and knocked them down.”
Steve Voigt kept USC close by popping in 10 first half points for the Rebels. USC started to get the ball inside much more in the second half, and scoring ace Cole Stencel warmed up. Stencel fired in 18 second half points to help the Rebels outscore NRHEG 40-27.
“USC took it in the paint early and often to gain control in the second half,” said Churchill. “They helped us by not making their free throws but we were unable to capitalize.”
The Rebels were just 3-13 from the free-throw line in the final half and 4-15 for the game.
Stencel had three triples and finished with 25 points. Voigt muscled his way to 16 points, Trey Allis popped in 11 and Colin Becher added 10.
NRHEG had excellent scoring balance with four players in double figures. Schwierjohann led the way with 12 points, with Kalis, Baker and Mangskau all scoring 11.
Mangskau nailed three triples and Schwierjohann dropped two threes.
Spencer Tollefson added nine points for the Panthers.
Both teams hit six three-pointers. The Panthers finished 6-11 from the foul stripe.
NRHEG closed its regular season schedule at Mankato Loyola Monday.
Tonight’s game with TC United was cancelled because the Titans had to make up a conference game.
NRHEG will open West Sub-Section 2AA play on March 4. It looks like the Panthers will either play at Hayfield or Maple River.
USC won the junior varsity game 59-52, dropping the Panthers to 16-7 for the season.
USC 70, NRHEG 62
USC 30 40 70
NRHEG 35 27 62
NRHEG (62): Schwierjohann 12, Mangskau 11, Kalis 11, Baker 11, Tollefson 9, Tracy 4, Krell 2, White 2.
NEXT: March 4 – West Sub-Section 2AA QF, TBD, 7 p.m.
