Staff photo by Ari Selvey Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Pierson Brau puts up a reverse layup during a Kwik Trip Holiday Boys Basketball Tournament game against Mankato Loyola on Friday at Bethany Lutheran College.

BOYS BASKETBALL

MVL 75, Loyola 63

MANKATO — Minnesota Valley Lutheran downed Mankato Loyola 75-63 on Friday night in the opening round of the Kwik Trip Holiday Boys Basketball Tournament at Bethany Lutheran College.

MVL was led by Pierson Brau’s 20 points and five rebounds, while Owen Birkholz had 16 points. Connor Bode also added 15 points and six assists for the Chargers, while Brecken Smith had 12 points after making 4 of 4 shots from the 3-point line, and Blake Sexton had six rebounds.

Covin Winter led Loyola with 23 points.

MVL will play Maple River in a championship bracket semifinals game at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at BLC’s North Gym, while Loyola plays Fairmont in the consolation bracket at 8 p.m. at BLC’s Younge Gym.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

New Ulm 71,

Bloomington Jefferson 52

ST. CLOUD — New Ulm downed Bloomington Jefferson 71-52 on Friday in a girls basketball game at the St. Cloud Apollo Invitational.

New Ulm was led by Leah Brustad’s 24 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Brooklyn Lewis had 20 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and six steals. Maggie Joyce also had 19 points, six assists and three steals for the Eagles.

New Ulm plays Alexandria Area at 11 a.m. Saturday on Day 2 of the invite.