Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Madison Mathiowetz of Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s takes a shot between a pair of Cleveland defenders during Section 2A playoff action Tuesday at SESM. For more photos of this event go to cu.nujournal.com

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s had four players score in double figures as the Knights downed Cleveland 77-62 on Tuesday in Section 2A, North Subsection girls’ basketball action.

Mallory Helget led the Knights with 23 points, Madison Mathiowetz and Sydney Windschitl each added 17 points and Cassie Heinrichs had 10 points. Mathiowetz had 10 rebounds while Jody Hansen recorded eight steals.

“They got a lot of rebounds and we struggled with rebounds (in the first half),” St. Mary’s head coach Bruce Woitas said.

Woitas was pleased that the Knights responded in the second half and got the lead they needed.

There were four ties and eight lead changes in the first half. Christa Phillips’ lay-up off a turnover resulted in Cleveland regaining a short-lived advantage.

St. Mary’s responded with a 3-pointer by Helget, two free throws by Kelsie Kosak and a hoop by Windschitl helped the Knights hold a 33-25 lead.

Rachael Kunkel scored 4 points and Halle McCabe scored with five seconds left for a 33-31 St. Mary’s halftime lead.

Both teams played it close most of the second half. Cleveland held its final lead at 36-33 on a basket by Phillips. Caitlin Brink nailed a 3-point shot for a 38-38 tie.

Helget turned the tide of the game when she drilled three 3-point shots created by Cleveland turnovers. Her third shot came with just over 5 minutes left making it 68-56 St. Mary’s.

Windschitl scored three consecutive lay-ups. Lexie Anderson made two free throws for the Knights’ final points.

“Mallory Helget hit some big shots in the second half. We got some transition basket because we got good looks at the basket,” Woitas said.

St. Mary’s (19-7) will face BOLD at 7:45 p.m. on Friday in St. Peter in the semifinal round.