The Minnewaska Area girls basketball team improved to 5-2 overall with a 55-17 victory over Paynesville last Tuesday night at home.

The Lakers, who fell to NLS and Sauk Centre in their previous two games, dominated the game against the Bulldogs, holding an opponent to a season-low in points.

Minnewaska Area was also set to  play at Melrose Area, Friday, but because of the early holiday deadline, results of that game will be highlighted next week.

During the holiday break, the Lakers are also set to play Minneota at SMSU, Friday, Dec. 27.  The first game of 2025 is set for Friday, Jan. 3 at home against West Central Area. 

Waska 55, Paynesville 17

The Lakers broke a mini two-game losing streak with a 55-17 win at home over Paynesville last Tuesday night.  The Lakers led 33-8 after a dominating first half and then outscored the visitors 22-9 in the second half.

Eleven different players hit the scoring column for Minnewaska Area, including Megan Thorfinnson, who was 8-of-10 from the field on the way to 20 points, three rebounds and five steals.

The Lakers shot 30 percent from the field (21-for-70), including 6-of-27 from three-point range, and were also 7-of-10 from the line.

Minnewaska Area improved to 5-2 overall with the win and 1-1 in the conference.

Sydney Dahl chipped in with eight points, three blocked shots, four rebounds and two steals, while Lauryn Ankeny also had eight points along with three boards and four steals.

Paynesville made just seven field goals all game and did not make any free-throws, going 0-for-2 from the charity stripe.  The Bulldogs also turned the ball over 25 times.

Haillie Schulz, Carly Jergenson and Kendall Danielson hit one 3-pointer for three points each, while Addy Kath had two points and four rebounds, Alia Randt had two points, three assists, four boards and three steals, Jayda Kolstoe had two points, two assists and four rebounds, Olivia Danielson had two points and two rebounds, and Berlynn Green also had two points along with three rebounds.

The Lakers have given up a total of just 130 points this year during their five wins combined for an average of 26 points a game for their opponents.

at Waska 55, Paynes 17

Paynesville 8 9 — 17

Minnewaska (5-2) 33 22 — 55

WASKA stats:  21-70 FG (6-27 3pt); 7-10 FT; 10 assists; 6 blocks; 34 rebounds; 16 steals; 11 fouls; 14 turnovers. . . Scoring:  Megan Thorfinnson 20, Sydney Dahl 8, Lauryn Ankeny 8, Haillie Schulz 3, Carly Jergenson 3, Kendall Danielson 3, Addy Kath 2, Alia Randt 2, Berlynn Green 2, Olivia Danielson 2, Jayda Kolstoe 2 . . . Rebounding:  Kath 4, Randt 4, Dahl 4, Kolstoe 4, Thorfinnson 3, Ankeny 3, Green 3, Schulz 2, Danielson 2 . . Assists:  Randt 3, Kolstoe 2. . . Steals:  Thorfinnson 5, Ankeny 4, Randt 3, Dahl 2. . . Blocks:  Dahl 3

PAYNES stats:  7-39 FG (3-19 3pt); 0-2 FT; 22 rebounds; 13 fouls; 25 turnovers . . . Other stats not available

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