Class B No. 1 Bridgewater-Emery shook off a slow start on Saturday at the Corn Palace.
The Huskies were coming off an overtime defeat against Breckenridge (Minn.) one day prior during the Hoop City Classic. After the slow start against the Golden Eagles, Bridgewater-Emery seized control in the third quarter and claimed a 66-32 win during the Hoop City Classic.
"We were pretty disappointed last night (Friday)," Bridgewater-Emery coach Scott Schultz said. "We felt we worked our way back in it, took the lead and we couldn't finish it. So we had our chins down a little bit early and I think then we decided we have to get out and we have to play. Nobody here is going to feel sorry for us."
The Golden Eagles (2-3) certainly did as they played right with the Huskies through the first half. The Huskies (5-1) took a slim 28-22 lead into halftime.
"We didn't play so well," B-E guard Chase Arend said. "We didn't come out like we wanted to, but we bounced back the second half."
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Bridgewater-Emery outscored the Golden Eagles 21-4 in the third quarter. The Huskies piled on more points in the third quarter on their way to victory.
"The second half we kind of came out with some energy we talked about at halftime," Schultz added. "So I was really happy with the second-half effort."
The Huskies' defense spurred the second half, as they forced 25 turnovers on 15 steals. Chase Arend came away with seven steals and he tossed in 18 points.
Jamin Arend paced the Huskies with 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Sawyer Schultz filled the stat sheet with 17 points, nine boards and seven assists.
Ty Vander Pol led the Golden Eagles with 12 points, while Luke Knutson had nine points.
The Huskies will play at Freeman on Jan. 4. The Golden Eagles will host Menno on Jan. 3.
Bridgewater-Emery 66, Mitchell Christian 32
Bridgewater-Emery: Jamin Arend 7-14 4-5 21, Sawyer Schultz 7-13 0-0 17, Chase Arend 7-12 4-4 18, Jonah Hofer 2-11 2-2 6, Carter Dye 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 25-55 10-11 66.
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Mitchell Christian: Joey Feiner 1-7 0-0 3, Alec Nelson 2-8 0-0 5, Luke Knutson 4-11 1-3 9, Ty Vander Pol 3-8 6-6 12, Max Reynen 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 11-38 7-9 32.
BE 14 28 49 66
MC 7 22 26 32
3-point field goals: BE 6 (J. Arend 3, Schultz 3); MC 3 (Reiner 1, Nelson 1, Reynen 1). Rebounds: BE 30 (Schultz 9); MC 24 (Nelson 9). Steals: BE 15 (C. Arend 7); MC 5 (Nelson 3). Assists: BE 17 (Schultz 7); MC 3 (Vander Pol 2). Turnovers: BE 11; MC 25. Total fouls: BE 13; MC 8.
