Photo by Jake McNeill Sleepy Eye’s Kadence Hesse (24) drives past a Minneota defender in the Indians’ 48-38 win over the Vikings in the Borch’s Holiday Classic at Southwest Minnesota State University on Wednesday night.

MARSHALL — The Sleepy Eye girls’ basketball team was able to stave off the Vikings Borch’s Holiday Classic matchup against Minneota Wednesday night, Winning 48-38 at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Kadence Hesse led the Indians in scoring with 22 points, followed closely by Braunna Mertz’s 17.

Despite her big scoring outburst, Mertz’s biggest contribution came on the boards. She finished the game with 19 rebounds, as well as a pair of blocks on the defensive end.

The Vikings had no scorers finish in double figures on the night. Grace Hennen and Kenadi Arndt led the Vikings in scoring with 8 and 9 points respectively.

The Vikings’ struggles largely stemmed from the Sleepy Eye interior defense. Minneota was forced to settle for midrange or 3-point jumpers rather than penetrating into the rim. The Vikings shot 3-11 from beyond the arc.

Both teams trailed off in the second half offensively. Sleepy Eye head coach Sarah Hesse attributed the slowed down pace in the second half to tired legs, both because of a lack of practice lately due to weather conditions as well as the longer court in SMSU’s gym.

The Indians were able to consistently give the Vikings a hard time when it came to retaining possession of the ball. Particularly in the first half, the Vikings were forced into multiple traveling violations, giving Sleepy Eye extra possessions that made the difference in a game that was close for most of the way.

The Vikings finished the game with 16 turnovers, compared to nine for the Indians.

Sleepy Eye (5-4) will try to continue their momentum when they play their next game on the road against New Ulm Cathedral on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.