By Michael Fromm

Journal Sports Correspondent

NEW ULM — The Montevideo Thunder Hawks defeated the New Ulm Eagles 60-56 in a tightly contested nonconference girls basketball game on Tuesday at New Ulm High School.

Although it was a back-and-forth battle to the end, New Ulm could not string together enough defensive rebounds in the second half against a tall Montevideo team. There were several solid performances from the Eagles, most notably from sophomore Morgan Hulke. Hulke led the team with 23 points and hit seven 3-pointers off the bench.

Additionally, junior Daviney Dreckman added 14 points with impressive offensive driving and on-ball defense, keeping the energy up for New Ulm. Ultimately, the 23 points from Montevideo senior Avery Koenen helped decide the contest in Montevideo’s favor.

The game started close, with both teams mainly electing to maintain a five-out offense to capitalize on inside-out 3-point attempts and to create open driving lanes. With 13:06 remaining in the first half, Dreckman converted a smooth euro-step layup while being fouled to keep the Eagles within 2 points at 7-5. Later, at the 8:45 mark, Dreckman had back-to-back possessions of making a 3-pointer and taking a charge that kept the team within 4, 20-16.

The Eagles found an offensive groove from a 3-point barrage led by sophomores Mackenzie Enter and Hulke, and senior Bryn Nesvold, with three makes in a short span leading to a 14-2 Eagles run that made the game 30-22 with 5:25 remaining. Toward the end of the first half, Montevideo employed a two-three zone defense that altered the tempo of the Eagles and caused a lull in the scoring with a halftime score of 32-30 in the Eagles’ favor.

Coming out of halftime, the Thunder Hawks used a methodical offensive attack that featured extra passes around the perimeter against the Eagles’ two-three zone defense and created a 7-0 run. After some more back-and-forth scoring, the score was tied at 44 with 8:38 remaining in the second half.

Later, at the 2:30 mark, Montevideo continued to consistently produce disciplined and lengthy possessions that left the Eagles unable to establish an offensive rhythm. Down the stretch, Montevideo’s Koenen controlled the glass and protected the rim with multiple offensive rebounds and one block at the 1:13 mark and a Montevideo 54-50 lead.

Hulke’s sixth and seventh 3-point shots increased the drama late and cut the lead to 4 with 11 seconds remaining. Additionally, a costly baseline turnover from Montevideo gave the Eagles a chance to cut the lead to 1 with two three-point attempts from freshmen Brooklyn Lewis and Hulke, but the shots ultimately rimmed out in the game’s final seconds.

New Ulm (11-5) will look to bounce back in a conference game against the Marshall Tigers on Friday at New Ulm High School.