Staff photo by Travis Rosenau New Ulm High School’s Brooklyn Lewis dribbles by Le Sueur-Henderson defender Madison Wilbright on Saturday afternoon in a nonconference girls’ basketball game at NUHS.

By Jeff Meder

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM — Brooklyn Lewis’ two free throws and an insurance free throw by Mackenzie Enter helped New Ulm edge Le Sueur-Henderson 58-55 on Saturday in a nonconference girls’ basketball contest.

LSH’s (1-12) Brynn Biedscheid tied it at 55-55. Lewis was fouled. She stepped to the free-throw line and she calmly dropped both of them in with 23.8 seconds left.

The Giants made a critical error on the previous play when Samantha Wilbright lost control of the basketball on an inbounds play.

Later, Enter was fouled, and she hit a free throw that sealed the victory for the Eagles. LSH was able to get off one last half-court shot, but it was not good.

The Eagles were 8 of 13 from the free-throw line while the Giants were 4 of 7.

Lewis led New Ulm with 21 points and five rebounds. Enter scored 13 points and Morgan Hulke added 11 points. Ramsey Hopp had eight rebounds and two steals also for New Ulm and Madeline Backer had six steals.

New Ulm led the entire second half. Alexis Terwedo’s fast-break layup tied it at 51-51. Hulke answered for the Eagles to regain the lead at 53-51 with roughly three minutes left to play. Terwedo’s next basket tied it again at 53-53. Hopp’s basket gave the Eagles the advantage again at 55-53.

The Giants had a number of chances to regain the upper hand throughout the contest. They made costly mistakes at inopportune times.

They were taller and rebounding well (especially in the first half). The Eagles found ways to get a hold of the ball when it mattered.

New Ulm jumped out to an early 7-0 lead early in the first half. LSH battled back and it was able to lead for a portion of the half. Madison Wilbright’s basket cut the New Ulm lead to 23-21.

On the next play, Andrea Terwedo regained the lead for LSH. That would be the final time that the Giants led.

Hopp’s basket gave the Eagles the lead. They would build on it and hold a 34-30 halftime advantage.

“We won two out of three games without any practices,” Eagles head coach Julie Rogers said. “I’m proud of us winning like that. It speaks volumes about how coachable these players are.”

She also said that those who played against LSH were on the court for 36 minutes without any breaks.

Samantha Wilbright led the Giants with 24 points and Terwedo scored 12 points.

New Ulm (7-6, 2-3) will play at Fairmont on Friday in Big South Conference action.

“Our game against Fairmont on Friday is going to be a tough one for us,” Rogers said.