That ended up being the game-winner for Sleepy Eye, as it defeated Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 73-69 in a nonconference girls basketball game at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s High School Friday in the season opener at the Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Tip-Off.

“I was so proud of everyone,” Sleepy Eye’s Taylor Berkner said. “It was an emotional rollercoaster. I just thought we should stay under control and stay defensive with the ball and make the right shots, and I thought we did. It was so fun to watch.”

Davila hit two free throws with under 30 seconds to play to put Sleepy Eye up 69-67. After Davila’s made putback, WEM turned it over, with Camryn Maher collecting a tipped pass and taking the final two free throws with less than a second to play to secure the win.

“It means a lot [to win this game],” Berkner said. “It was honestly a team effort. We lost good seniors last year, so it was really enjoyable to see us playing as a team and seeing what we can do as a team.”

Staff photo by Ari SelveyThe Sleepy Eye girls basketball team celebrates after a win over Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Friday at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s High School.

Berkner led the team in scoring with 25 points, along with five rebounds and four steals. Jace Schauman had 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Alexis Hoffman had 8 points and three steals. Destiny Dittbenner added 7 points, nine rebounds, five steals and two assists.

Sleepy Eye was aggressive all game on the defense, forcing several key WEM turnovers.

“We’ve been working on that in practice,” Berkner said. “It was one of our main goals. Coach always says he likes us as a defensive team, so we take it an play with heart.”

However, the aggression came at a cost, with fouls putting the Buccaneers into the bonus early in both halves. Hoffmann fouled out with over six minutes to play in the game, and Jaelynn Schauman fouled out with a minute left. Still, the Sleepy Eye depth provided enough resistance to come away with the win.

Jace Schauman scored the first points of Sleepy Eye’s season with a corner 3-pointer to open the game. The teams battled early, with a 3-pointer from Berkner putting Sleepy Eye up 10-7. The Indians went on a 8-2 run to go up 25-15, sparked by a floater by Berkner, but WEM fought back, tying the game at 29 on a shot by Addison Condon, who finished with a game-high 37 points. WEM took the lead on a floater by Bryella Pope, but Sleepy Eye went back up 32-31 before halftime on a 3-pointer from Ali Almanza.

Berkner started off the second half with a scoop shot for a 34-31 lead, and Sleepy Eye went on a 15-2 run, led by 8 points from Jace Schauman. The Buccaneers fought back once again, however, going on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 62 with under three minutes to play.

Berkner hit a pair of free throws to put Sleepy Eye back up, and WEM cut it to 64-63 with a free throw from Alix Velzke. Jaelynn Schauman made a free throw to make it a 2-point game again, but Condon hit a layup to tie it. Jace Schauman made two more free throws with 59 seconds to play to give the Indians the lead once more, but Jaelynn Schauman fouled out with 46 seconds to go and put Condon on the line for two free throws, which she made to tie it at 67.

Davila made her two free throws, but Condon responded with another layup to tie it once more.

Jace Schauman was sent to the line with 9.6 to play, but was unable to make either free throw. However, Davila was in the right position to grab the rebound and shoot the putback, giving Sleepy Eye the lead with 6.3 seconds to go. WEM turned it over, Maher made her free throws, and Sleepy Eye won the game.

Sleepy Eye (1-0) plays again against BOLD on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s.