-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Livi Huss of St. Edmond shoots around Manson NW Webster Samantha Ruhland (4) and Bailey Kenyon on Monday

CLARION — A slow start forced the St. Edmond girls to play from behind all night here Tuesday.

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows jumped out to a commanding 16-3 lead and went on to claim a 36-28 victory over the Gaels in North Central Conference play.

Courtney Harle led the way for the Cowgirls (6-8 overall, 2-6 in NCC) with 13 points, as Clarion-Goldfield/Dows completed a season sweep over St. Edmond.

Quinn Hansch scored eight, with both Raven Kinnetz and Vanessa Kolb adding six.

“It’s tough to come out of a big hole like that,” SEHS head coach Steve Neuberger said. “We have to figure out a way to get quicker from the start going forward.”

The Gaels (3-10, 1-7) were led by Livi Huss, who scored seven points. They were able to cut the Cowgirl lead to as little as four in the final quarter.

“I thought our defense was very good again,” Neuberger said. “In the second half, we were more aggressive taking the basketball to the hole, we just couldn’t get over the hump.

“I liked how we played in the second half, but we had too many turnovers once again.”

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows is at No. 3 (Class 3A) Clear Lake on Friday night. St. Edmond hosts Humboldt that same night.

CLARION-GOLDFIELD/DOWS 36, ST. EDMOND 28

St. Edmond — Livi Huss 7, Jocy Timmerman 5, Macey Mason 4, Hannah Huss 4, Jacque Oberg 3, Cambrie McBride 3, Erin Flattery 2.

Clarion-Goldfield/Dows — Courtney Harle 13, Quinn Hansch 8, Raven Kinnetz 6, Vanessa Kolb 6, Megan Askelsen 2, Emily Kapka 1.

Quarter scores: C-G/D led 16-3, 21-9, 28-19.