Eagles Soar to Victory with Dominant Second Half Against Bluejays

Betsy Joyce takes a shot over two Waseca defenders during a Big South Conference girls basketball game at New Ulm High School.

NEW ULM — In a thrilling Big South Conference matchup, New Ulm’s girls basketball team surged past Waseca with an impressive 80-46 victory. The Eagles kicked off the second half with a powerful 12-0 run, establishing a commanding 20-point lead that they maintained for the rest of the game.

Although New Ulm started slowly, they found their rhythm after halftime. “We just had to pick it up on defense,” said coach Julie Rogers. “The first half wasn’t our style at all. We needed to be more aggressive. After halftime, we lit a fire under a few players, and it paid off.” The team responded strongly, significantly outscoring Waseca in the second half.

Betsy Joyce was a standout performer, leading with 16 points, and her energetic play helped keep New Ulm in the lead during the first half. “Getting second chances on offense is key,” Joyce noted. “It helps us keep our pace fast. If we can limit them to one shot and grab defensive rebounds, it really boosts our offense.”

Riley Wilson contributed 14 points and three rebounds, while Maddie Backer scored 12 points. Brooklyn Lewis added 11 points and four rebounds, and Morgan Hulke finished with 10 points. As New Ulm switched to a more aggressive defense in the second half, the team’s offense began to flourish. “We realized we were playing down to their level,” Joyce said. “Once we stepped it up defensively, our offense followed.”

In the first half, New Ulm established a quick 11-2 lead, including a 3-pointer from Joyce. Waseca attempted to rally but could not close the gap. New Ulm went into halftime with a 35-27 lead.

In the second half, the Eagles maintained their momentum with sharp passes and smart cutting plays. “We’ve been focusing on cutters moving to the basket,” Rogers explained, “and it was effective for us tonight.” When Ramsey Hopp hit a 3-pointer to kick off the second-half run, New Ulm took a decisive 47-27 lead. They later added a 14-2 run to secure a comfortable 76-40 lead as the game approached its final minutes.

With this win, New Ulm improved to 10-6 overall and 6-3 in conference play. They will look to build on this success when they host St. Peter on Friday.