By DALE KUGATH
Sportswriter
The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva girls’ basketball express continued to roll on full speed ahead last week.
The Panthers overcame an unusual first-half deficit to defeat Faribault Bethlehem Academy on the road Jan. 29.
NRHEG pummeled Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton for the second time this season at home Friday.
The second-ranked Panthers have won 16 consecutive games in raising their record to 10-0 in the Gopher Conference and 18-1 for the year. NRHEG is 6-0 at home and 12-1 on the road this season.
FBA
FARIBAULT – Facing a rare halftime deficit, NRHEG used a strong second half to defeat Faribault BA 72-59. The loss dropped FBA to third in the conference (7-3) and 16-4 overall. NRHEG defeated Faribault 70-53 in the earlier meeting this season.
The Panthers walked off the floor at halftime, trailing 34-32, a position they have seldom seen this season.“We gave FBA way too many fast-break points in the first half,” said NRHEG coach John Schultz. “We adjusted at halftime and limited the breaks in the second half.
Carlie Wagner took over in the second half as the Cardinals could not stop her.
“Carlie forced the issue,” said Schultz.
NRHEG outscored the Cards 40-25 to win going away.
“We also did a better job on the boards in the second half,” said Schultz. “Everyone played their roles well on the boards and on defense.”
The Panthers shot 44 percent from the floor, compared to FBA’s 49 percent. But, NRHEG attempted 17 more shots.
Wagner and Jade Schultz combined for 52 points, both nailing a pair of threes. Wagner flipped in 32 and Schultz poured in 20. Both players dished out eight assists.
Paige Overgaard added eight points and Maddie Wagner chipped in with seven.
Taylor Schwab was the lone FBA player to reach double figures, pumping in 22 points.
Jessie Matthews added nine points, one more than Hana Palmer and Taryn Ashley.
Schultz and Overgaard outrebounds FBA, helping the Panthers to a 30-23 margin on the boards. Schultz ripped down 12 rebounds and Overgaard grabbed eight.
The Cardinals were guilty of 16 turnovers, compared to just nine for NRHEG.
JWP
NEW RICHLAND – The Panthers reached 90 points for the second time this season against JWP, winning 92-38 in New Richland Friday. NRHEG won the first meeting 90-27.
JWP remained winless in the conference and fell to 4-16 overall.
The game was decided early as the Panthers sprinted to a 52-20 halftime advantage. Carlie Wagner scored 23 points and Schultz added 11 in the first half.
Despite playing his bench much of the second half, NRHEG still outscored the Dawgs 40-18.
Wagner enjoyed another 32-point game, flipping in a pair of three-pointers.
Schultz nailed four triples while scoring 14 points,
Maddie Wagner, Overgaard and Marnie Wagner added 10 points apiece.
Hannah Lundberg handed out four assists, one more than Abby Crabtree.
Sam Gruis pumped in four triples to lead JWP with 16 points.
NRHEG dominated the boards by a 57-21 margin. The Panthers had 32 offensive rebounds.
Marnie “Ice” Wagner led the Panthers with nine rebounds, one more than Lundberg, Maddie Wagner and Crabtree.
NRHEG had 17 turnovers in the game, while forcing JWP into 20 miscues.
Blue Earth comes to town this evening. The Panthers travel to Randolph Friday. NRHEG tangles with Goodhue in a 4:30 p.m. game at Carleton College Saturday.
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown will be in New Richland Tuesday.
NRHEG 72, FBA 59
NRHEG 32 40 72
FBA 34 25 59
NRHEG (72): C. Wagner 32, Schultz 20, Overgaard 8, Mad. Wagner 7, Cole 3, Lundberg 2. FG: 27-62 (44%, 5 3-pters.)
NRHEG 92, JWP 38
JWP 20 18 38
NRHEG 52 40 92
NRHEG (92): C. Wagner 32, Schultz 14, Overgaard 10, Mad. Wagner 10, Mar. Wagner 10, Cole 6, Lundberg 5, Crabtree 4, Stork 1. FG: 36-81 (44%, 8-20 3-pters.), FT; 12-16 (75%), PF-15, TP-92
NEXT: Tonight – Blue Earth at NRHEG, 7:15 p.m.