New Ulm’s Hannah Osborne drives to the basket after stealing the ball from a Martin County West player Thursday at New Ulm High School.

By Jeff Meder

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM — Ellie Bute and Joey Batt led New Ulm past Martin County West 65-25 on Thursday in a nonconference girls’ basketball contest. It was the first win of the season for the Eagles.

“I owe it all to my teammates. They set the screens which helped me get good looks at the basket,” Bute said.

Bute scored 25 points and Batt added 22 points. Bute added the good defense (and the press) helped the Eagles get fast break baskets.

The first half was a “good news/bad news” one for New Ulm. The Eagles were able to slowly build a lead early in the game. The bad news was they had five team fouls with 13:24 left in the first half.

“We had a lot of fouls in the first half which came from our trapping defense,” New Ulm head coach Brian Batt said.

MCW got as close as 14-11 before the Eagles went on a 13-0 run. Elizabeth Shaul made two free throws, Hannah Osborne scored on a fast-break layup, Batt added three free throws, Olivia Wick had a free throw and Bute canned a 3-point shot to complete the run.

Noelle Forestner fed the ball to Bute who scored on an inside shot. Alyssa Williamson (MCW) made two free throws and Karlee Thiesse scored for a 29-15 Eagle halftime lead.

Bute dropped two 3-pointers early in the second half. Batt added a basket and Iyanna Wieland scored a basket. Bute and Batt nailed one 3-point shot apiece to continue the Eagle assault upon the Mavericks.

Nora Windschill scored 6 points in the second half. She scored two baskets on consective plays to boost the Eagles’ lead to 52-19. After MCW scored, Windchill answered for the Eagles.

The last 4 of her points came on inside shots to the basket. Coach Batt praised Windchill for her contribution entering the game off the bench.

Later in the second half, Bute drilled two more 3-pointers and she had a basket on an inside shot. Lauren Mages had two free throws and another Eagle scored New Ulm’s final basket for the 65-25 win.

It was a difficult night for MCW because the Mavricks edged Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s by 2 points on Tuesday in overtime.

The Eagles started the second half on a 10-0 run and a 5-0 run to close out the game.

“It makes a difference when our shots drop.” Coach Batt added.

New Ulm (1-1) will host Wabasso on Tuesday.