With the win, St. Mary’s improves to 3-0 and 1-0 in conference play, winning its games by an average of 27.3 points.

“I think our returning players are doing a really nice job of leading this group,” St. Mary’s head coach Judd Walter said. “Making all the guys that are a little inexperienced more comfortable out there. Playing a little bit different style this year. We’re not as big, so we’re quicker, and the guys have done a really nice job of working hard in practice and trying to adapt to what we’re trying to do.”

St. Marys’ Adam Steffensmeier said the defense, which has allowed just 54 points per game so far, has been instrumental to the team’s success.

“Trading turnovers is giving us extra possessions to score,” he said. “Being physical, getting on the floor for 50-50 balls, all the little things.”

Staff photo by Ari Selvey Cathedral’s Eli Anderson (1) drives into the paint during a Tomahawk Division boys basketball game on Friday.

Steffensmeier finished with 21 points, 19 of which came in the first half, along with three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

“Getting to the rim and drawing fouls,” Steffensmeier said. “My teammates finding me, giving me the ball when I’m open and giving me gaps when I drive. Just knowing when to kick it.”

Also for St. Mary’s, Michael Balko had 15 points and seven rebounds, while Brecken Hulke had 11 points. Eli Christiansen added 11 points while Tyler Mathioewtz had 8 points and four assists.

Eli Anderson led the Greyhounds with 18 points and four rebounds, while Quinten Forst had 7 points and eight rebounds. Ryler Collins added 8 points and three assists, while Mason Sprenger had 7 points and three steals.

St. Mary’s started off the game with an 16-6 lead, with Hulke closing out the run with a putback. Ball movement was key for the Knights all game, finding shooters and cutters for efficient shots.

“We talked a lot about being unselfish and playing team basketball,” coach Walter said. “It’s one of those things that if we move the ball and make the one or two extra passes, the shots become easier and then it opens things up inside. Then Brecken did a really nice job of gathering himself and finishing underneath the hoop tonight, so it’s really nice to have that inside game.”

Cathedral struck back with a pair of 3-pointers by Collins to cut the lead to 18-13, but St. Mary’s pushed the lead out to 31-15 as Steffensmeier, Eli Christensen, Mathiowetz Isaac Christianson all scored.

Quinten Forst converted an and-one and a pair of free throws to make it 31-20, and Cooper Walter struck back with a putback. St. Mary’s closed out the half with a 10-3 run, finished with a step-back 3-pointer by Steffensmeier for a 50-29 lead.

Sprenger started out the second half with a pair of layups, but St. Mary’s responded with a 15-2 run, with Balko hitting a 3-pointer, to make it 69-35. Coltin Heil and Henry Forst both scored in the paint for Cathedral, but the Knights continued to control the game as it went into running time. Reserves entered the game with just under five minutes to play, and St. Marys’ Ethan Heiderman made a layup and a 3-pointer to help push the Knights to 90 points.

St. Mary’s plays at Springfield on Friday, while Cathedral (0-3, 0-2) hosts Minnesota Valley Lutheran on Thursday.