NEW ULM — Redwood Valley defeated New Ulm 81-66 on Tuesday in a Big South Conference boys’ basketball contest. It was the season opener for both teams.

“I thought we took a hard punch in the first half, New Ulm head coach Matt Dennis said. “I credit the guys for not taking one in the second half, and I’m proud of the way they battled.”

The closest that the Eagles would get to the Cardinals was two points early in the first half. Redwood Valley used a full-court press for most of the first half which bothered New Ulm. One example occurred when Redwood Valley’s Connor Josephson scored a fast-break layup off an Eagle turnover. That basket made it 38-18 Redwood Valley.

Josephson scored four points later in the first half. Carter Guetter nailed a 3-point shot which gave the Cardinals a 51-28 halftime advantage.

Joshua Wenninger’s 3-point shot pulled the Eagles within 15 points at 65-50 late in the second half.

Redwood Valley scored on two baskets by Bryant Haas and a 3-point shot by Zack Reck-Paulsen were its final points.

The Eagles scored the games final 10 points on a 3-point shot by Cole Backer. Isaiah Miller hit a free throw, Carter Lang had a basket and Backer scored another basket.

Reece Melby led New Ulm with 20 points, Charlie Osborne and Backer finished with 10 points each.

Haas led the Cardinals with 18 points. Guetter added 14 points, Carson Woodford had 13 points, Josephson contributed 11 points and Lang had 10 points.

New Ulm (0-1) will host Marshall on Friday.