By Jeff Meder

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM — Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart cruised past New Ulm Cathedral 76-33 on Tuesday in a Tomahawk Conference girls’ basketball contest.

The Mustangs used a full-court press, which helped them build an early 13-0 lead. They also were aggressive going after loose basketballs, missed shots and they rebounded well.

Maddy Wulkan hit a 3, Sara Kottke scored two fast-break layups and she also scored, was fouled and she made the free throw. Rachel Kottke canned a 3 to complete the run.

Lily Franta scored on a fast-break layup and she hit a 3 on Cathedral’s next possession. Jenna Hotovec missed a shot, got her own rebound and she was fouled. She made both free throws to bring the Greyhounds within 7 points. That was a close as Cathedral got for the rest of the game.

BLHS responded with a 13-0 run, which included two baskets and a 3 by Sara Kottke. Emilie Hable, Allison Milbrandt, Lily Dean and Jessica Novotny also contributed points.

Sara Kottke missed a shot. She got her own rebound and passed it to Dean, who took a shot. Dean missed, but Sara rebounded and scored, making it 54-22 BLHS at halftime. Hotovec had 12 halfltime points, while Sara Kottke had 22 points at the half.

The Mustangs continued their success in the second half. Cathedral’s Emily Schommer canned a 3. Rachel Kottke, Wulkan and Milbrandt scored for a 6-0 BLHS run.

Cathedral ran an outer perimeter offense to draw the BLHS defense out for either better looks at the basket or to create a 1-on-1 situation. BLHS remained disciplined in its defensive strategy which led to some Greyhound turnovers and Mustang points.

Sara Kottke finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Rachel Kottke added 15 points, three assists and two steals. Wulkan and Milbrandt each had 12 points. Wulkan added seven rebounds. Kristi Kottke had eight rebounds and four steals.

Hotovec led Cathedral with 18 points, four rebounds and she went 10 for 13 from the free-throw line. Franta scored 7 points and Schommer had 6 points. Maddy Gilles had four rebounds.

BLHS (19-5, 11-4) will travel to Cedar Mountain (2-19, 1-12) on Thursday. Cathedral (2-20, 1-15) will play at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton on Thursday.