Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Samantha Dalueg (11) is defended by Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop’s Taylor Haas (5) as Kaylee Hunter (2) runs to the baseline during a Tomahawk Conference girls’ basketball game Friday night at MVL High School.

NEW ULM — Minnesota Valley Lutheran downed Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop 61-35 on Friday in Tomahawk Conference girls’ basketball action.

You could say that it was a bad day at the office for the Thunderbirds, while the Chargers’ theme song was The Carpenter’s “Close to You.”

It was a tough time for GFW because they just could not get their game plan on track. MVL used a combination of a close, smothering defense, with it double-teaming GFW where — and when — it could.

The Chargers also used a full-court press for a portion of the contest with good results. GFW appeared to make some adjustments at halftime because it upped its defense and the Thunderbirds rebounded better in the second half.

MVL had stopped using a full-court press approximately halfway through the first half. It reinstituted it early in the second half. It also resumed a close defensive strategy to keep the Thunderbirds from gaining any traction.

Samantha Dalueg’s three-point play early in the second half was followed by a steal and a layup by Abigail Riederer, giving the Chargers a 20-point advantage of 47-27. Riederer canned two 3s to open the half.

Olivia Schwarzrock and Brynn Busse scored in between.

Riederer passed the ball to Ella Schlei, who scored an inside basket. On MVL’s next possession, Riederer scored an underhanded layup.

The Thunderbirds made it interesting early in the first half. MVL’s Dalueg scored the Chargers’ first 4 points. GFW answered with a 3 to make it 4-3.

Later on, Schwarzock scored on an inside basket which was followed up with a Busse basket. Kaylee Hunter responded with a 3 for MVL. Annika Morschauser scored the next 5 points for the Chargers. MVL led 36-23 at halftime.

Busse led GFW with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Schwarzrock scored 6 points. Marti Jacobson and Taylor Haas each added five rebounds apiece.

Riederer led MVL with 17 points (which included three 3’s), five steals and five assists. Hunter added 16 points (which included two 3s). Dalueg had seven rebounds and Schlei had five rebounds.

MVL (14-4, 10-1) will play at Springfield on Monday. GFW (9-10, 4-9) will play at New Ulm Cathedral on Monday.