Staff photo by Steve Muscatello New Ulm’s Iyanna Wieland (25) takes a shot after getting past Blue Earth Area defender Caitlin Rorman during the first half Thursday at NUHS.

NEW ULM — It’s no secret that New Ulm’s Joey Batt is going to get her points against any opponent. The problem for opponents is trying to figure out who to focus on along with Batt.

On Thursday night it was Iyanna Wieland’s turn to spark the offense. Wieland finished with 19 points and played tough defense as the Eagles won easily against Blue Earth Area 72-38 in Big South Conference girls’ basketball action.

Wieland hit a couple of 3-pointers and also had a three-point play in the game for the Eagles. Her 19 points tied a career high for her. She also had five rebounds.

“I feel good, the first two games I was a little off but now I feel confident in myself,” Wieland said.

Batt led the Eagles with 29 points. Caitlin Rorman paced the Bucs with 24 points.

New Ulm led 10-2 early after Ellie Bute hit a 3-pointer with 12:50 left in the first half. BEA got to within 13-7, but Wieland’s 3 made it 16-7 with 10:36 left. Wieland later hit her second 3-pointer of the game to give the Eagles a 27-8 cushion and they led 36-11 at halftime after she scored the final basket of the half.

New Ulm’s defense forced 25 turnovers in the game. That led to some easy baskets on the other end of the floor.

“I believe we share the ball really well as a team,” Wieland said. “We pass and we look for open people, our press gets a lot of fast-break points.”

Batt and Bute hit back-to-back 3-pointers early in the second half and New Ulm led 42-13 at that point. The Bucs finally got to 20 points with 12:40 left in the second half when Hannah Johnson hit a 3, making it 48-20.

Hannah Osborne scored 10 points and had five rebounds. Nora Windschill had six rebounds.

New Ulm (3-1) faces Marshall at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday in St. James in the Big South Cross-over.