Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Ariane Lyman of Eagle Grove shoots around two St. Edmond defenders on Monday in the Gael gym. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

Mike Herrington knows wins have been hard to come by for Eagle Grove within its conference schedule, and on Monday night, they had a date with former league foe St. Edmond.

Herrington, in his second season as head coach, saw the Eagles (2-9 overall) win their second consecutive game, 36-29 over the winless Gaels.

Both teams struggled from the field, but it was Eagle Grove’s ability to control the tempo that gave the Eagles the win over their former North Central Conference foe.

Eagle Grove left the NCC in 2014.

“We had tired legs at the beginning of the season, and we only go about seven deep, so the girls are getting conditioned as we go and I think you saw that with the pace and aggressiveness we had,” Herrington said. “We are not a very tall team, so we need to control the boards.

“I was happy with their aggressiveness and the way they played.”

Wins have been hard to come by for the Eagles, who are part of the Top of Iowa West Conference with second-ranked West Hancock (2A) and No. 5 Bishop Garrigan (1A).

“We have a tough conference with two highly-ranked teams, so anytime we can get a win, it’s good for the girls,” Herrington said. “Our conference can be a buzzsaw.”

Both teams struggled from the field, but it was the Eagles who made up for it from the free throw line. Eagle Grove wasn’t perfect from the charity stripe, going 16-for-29, but the Gaels were only 4 of 9.

“It was just one of those nights,” said SEHS head coach Steve Neuberger. “It just seemed like there was a lid on the basket.

“We struggled to take advantage of our open looks, and I think that’s just a confidence thing.”

St. Edmond kept the contest close with its three-point shooting. The Gaels hit three triples that kept the Eagles away from building a wide margin.

Eagle Grove built a 10-2 advantage, but the Gaels scratched back to a 10-10 tie with treys from Leah Neverman and Aubrey Bemrich.

Gracie Harvey hit a big three-pointer in third quarter to pull the Gaels within one at 21-20, but the Eagles went on a 9-0 run to essential put the game away at 30-20.

Ariane Lyman led the Eagles with 16 points. Lyman hit three field goals, but was 10-for-14 from the charity stripe.

Hannah Sampson reached double figures as well with 12. She connected on three field goals, two from three-point range.

Leah Neverman had a double-double for the Gaels with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Kelli Kersten had eight points on 4-for-8 shooting.

“We had some girls step up,” Neuberger said. “I thought Kelli Kersten and Aubrey Bemrich played well and had good contributions for us.”

The Gaels are back in action on Thursday when they host Manson Northwest Webster.

EAGLE GROVE 36, ST. EDMOND 29

Eagle Grove — Hannah Sampson 3-11 4-6 12, Jozey Gump 0-2 0-0 0, Lea Friedl 0-8 2-8 2, Ariane Lyman 3-10 10-14, 16, Kaitlin Sampson 3-8 0-1 6, Megan Sampson 0-3 0-0 0. Totals: 9-42 16-29 36.

St. Edmond — Kelli Kersten 4-8 0-0 8, Cambrie McBride 1-12 0-0 2, Emma Neverman 0-0 0-0 0, Leah Neverman 2-12 3-4 10, Gracie Harvey 1-5 0-2 3, Aubrey Bemrich 2-8 0-0 5, Avery Galles 0-0 0-1 0, Katie Flaherty 0-1 1-2 1, Leah Johnson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 10-47 4-9 29.

Quarter scores: EG led 8-2, 16-13, 27-20. Three-point goals: Eagle Grove 2-14 (Hannah Sampson 2-7, Lyman 0-1, Kaitlin Sampson 0-1, Megan Sampson 0-2, Friedl 0-3); St. Edmond 2-8 (Leah Neverman 1-2, Harvey 1-2, Bemrich 1-5, McBride 0-4): Total rebounds: Eagle Grove 26, St. Edmond 34; Turnovers: Eagle Grove 22, St. Edmond 23; Total Fouls: Eagle Grove 15, St. Edmond 21. Fouled out: Kersten, Harvey.