Staff photo by Steve Muscatello New Ulm’s Daviney Dreckman takes a shot after getting past a Fairmont defender during the second half Friday at New Ulm High School.

NEW ULM — Fairmont used the perimeter game to its advantage early on, hitting five of its first six baskets from 3-point range on Friday night against New Ulm.

The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as it defeated New Ulm 62-40 in a Big South Conference girls’ basketball game at New Ulm High School.

Daviney Dreckman led New Ulm with 13 points, eight rebounds and six steals. Kirsten Dennis had 9 points and Brynn Nesvold finished with 7 points.

Madysen Allen led Fairmont with 15 points.

The Cardinals went up 8-2 on a 3 from Maggy Totzke. Back-to-back 3s from Totzke and Emma Gudahl put the Cardinals ahead 14-5, but the Eagles were able to stay within striking distance. Dreckman and Natalie Bianchi had a couple of baskets later in the half and Fairmont led 22-14 at that point, but an 11-0 run gave the Cardinals a 33-14 lead with 1:53 left in the half.

Maddie Backer’s basket late in the first half ended Fairmont’s run and the Cardinals led 33-16 at halftime.

Fairmont’s lead grew in the second half after another 3 by Rayah Quiring put the Cardinals ahead 41-18. A three-point play upped the lead to 44-20 and the Cardinals went up 50-22 on a basket from Brittney Mosloski.

New Ulm (2-7) has lost six straight games and will host Marshall (10-0) on Monday. Fairmont (5-4) hosts Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther on Thursday.