The Luverne Cardinals girls’ basketball team closed out the regular season on a four-game winning streak after winning a pair of games this past week.
Luverne opened the week with a thrilling 60-54 victory over Pipestone Area in Luverne on Thursday, March 11.
The Cardinals wrapped up the regular season with a 52-37 road victory against New Ulm on Friday, March 12.
With the two wins and a four-game winning streak, the Cardinals finished the regular season with a 9-9 record and are playing their best basketball at the right time.
“The regular season was filled with adversity,” Luverne head coach TJ Newgard said. “The girls stayed the course.”
LHS 60, PAS 54
The Cardinals edged the Arrows 60-54 on Thursday, March 11.
Kira John opened the scoring for the Cardinals to give them the 2-0 lead.
The Arrows responded with a three-pointer to take a 3-2 lead.
A Christina Wagner bucket put the Cardinals back on top 4-3. The Arrows answered with a bucket of their own to take a 5-4 lead.
An Averill Sehr three-pointer kickstarted an 11-0 run to put the Cardinals up 15-5.
After an Arrows bucket, the Cardinals went on a 7-0 run to build a 22-7 lead.
With the Cardinals leading 29-17, the Arrows hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to cut Luverne’s halftime lead to 29-20.
In the second half, the Arrows outscored the Cardinals 34-31, but it was the home team making the key plays in the final minute to secure the victory.
With the Cardinals trailing 54-53, Elise Ferrell hit a three-pointer to put the Cardinals on top 56-54.
The Arrows attempted a shot the next time down the court that was blocked by Sehr.
The Cardinals were able to salt the game away at the free-throw line and held on for the 60-54.
Ferrell finished the game with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the Cardinals.
John and Elizabeth Wagner both finished the game with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Christina Wagner finished the game with 11 points and five rebounds.
Sehr scored 10 points, dished out five assists, and recorded four steals.
LHS 52, New Ulm 37
The Cardinals wrapped up the regular season with a 52-37 victory over New Ulm on Friday, March 12.
Ferrell led the Cardinals in scoring with 15 points.
Elizabeth Wagner chipped in with nine points. Wagner also dished out five assists and recorded five steals.
Sehr scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Cardinals will open the section tournament on Tuesday, March 16, when they host Tracy-Milroy-Balaton.
“I think we are coming into our own over the last two weeks,” Newgard said. “The girls are excited about the postseason. We know that we have to play well to advance, but we also know that we can compete with anyone in our sub-section. We are just going to lay it all out on the line and see what happens.”
LHS 29 31 60
PAS 20 34 54
Scoring: Ferrell 15; E. Wagner 12; John 12; C. Wagner 11; Sehr 10
Rebounds: John 8; E. Wagner 8; Ferrell 6; C. Wagner 5
Assists: Sehr 5; Ferrell 4
Steals: Sehr 4
LHS 52
New Ulm 37
Scoring: Ferrell 15; E. Wagner 9; Sehr 8; C. Wagner 7
Rebounds: Sehr 6
Assists: Sehr 5
Steals: E. Wagner 5; Sehr 4; Van Grootheest 4