Staff photo by Steve Muscatello Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Emma Nelson (right) gets a shot off despite defensive pressure from Wabasso’s Ally Fenger (left) during the first half Thursday at MVL.

NEW ULM — Minnesota Valley Lutheran defeated Wabasso 78-50 on Thursday in a Tomahawk Conference girls’ basketball game.

“We had a pretty good stretch of defense in the first half,” MVL head coach Rollin Timm said. “We surprised them and we did well offensively.”

The Chargers did a good job of rebounding, passing around the ball, capitalizing on turnovers and playing well. MVL used a full-court press at various times throughout the game. Wabasso briefly tried a press, but it didn’t bring the desired result and it was abandoned.

Pearson scored 10 points, she had nine assists, six steals and nine rebounds. Emma Nelson scored 12 points and she had 13 rebounds. Abby Nelson had 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. Kaylee Hunter had six rebounds.

Pearson started another Charger run when she hit a 3-pointer and scored off a Wabasso turnover in the second half.

Abbie Riederer’s 3-pointer and Maddie Pearson’s fast break layup and another Riederer basket boosted MVL’s lead to 64-38.

Wabasso’s Sarah Franta hit a 3-point shot and she stole the ball for a layup. Franta finished the game with 10 points. Ally Fenger scored 15 points while Bella Brand added 10 points.

Brand’s basket to start the contest gave Wabasso its only lead of the night. Riederer answered with a 3-pointer of her own which started a 22-0 MVL run. Riederer scored 10 of the Charger’s first 15 points and finished with 26 total points.

Fenger ended Wabasso’s drought when she scored with 9:52 remaining in the first half. She scored Wabasso’s next 4 points.

MVL (12-2, 8-0) will host Cleveland on Monday. Wabasso (4-11, 2-8) will host Minneota on Monday.