Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Kierstin Clark shoots for St. Edmond on Friday in the Gael gym. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

The St. Edmond girls were unable to completely climb out of a mini-slump in the second half here Friday night, falling to Hampton-Dumont/CAL by a final of 46-36.

After taking an early lead with a strong first quarter, the Gaels struggled to keep that momentum going as the Bulldogs put together a 14-3 run to take a double-digit lead.

Leah Neverman led St. Edmond with 11 points, adding five rebounds and a blocked shot. Kierstin Clark scored nine while Kacey Kruthoff had six points and four rebounds.

“I thought that we had our best game on the defensive end of the court from start to finish all season,” SEHS head coach CJ Tracy said. “We just couldn’t get any rhythm going shooting the ball. But I am so proud of the way we prepared and came out and played defense compared to Tuesday.”

Avery Galles knocked down a 3-pointer with Neverman, Kruthoff and Gracie Harvey all adding buckets as the Gaels went up, 9-7, after the first quarter. Hampton-Dumont/CAL, though, leaned on junior Lauren Meader to make a run.

Meader posted a game-high 18 points, including 10 in the first half. Avery Hanson added 10 with nine rebounds and Alana Johnson scored nine.

“Meader is a good player and she was able to get loose a few times,” Tracy said. “We did a nice job on Hanson, but a few other girls stepped up for them and made shots.”

St. Edmond was able to trim the deficit to five twice in the fourth before Gina Schmit connected on a pair of triples.

The Gaels return to action Saturday, hosting Clarion-Goldfield/Dows in a makeup game from earlier this week.

HAMPTON-DUMONT/CAL 46, ST. EDMOND 36

St. Edmond — Avery Galles 1 0-2 3, Mya McClain 1 0-0 2, Leah Neverman 4 2-4 11, Kacey Kruthoff 3 0-1 6, Gracie Harvey 2 0-2 5, Leah Johnson 0 0-0 0, Kierstin Clark 4 0-1 9, Alyson Nieland 0 0-0 0, Emma Alstott 0 0-0 0, Kelli Kersten 0 0-0 0, Silvia Heldorfer 0 0-0 0, Aubrey Bemrich 0 0-0 0, Alyxis Mericle 0 0-0 0, Michaela Leiting 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 2-10 36.

Hampton-Dumont/CAL — Alana Johnson 3 2-2 9, Lauren Meader 8 2-2 18, Avery Hanson 4 1-4 10, Gina Schmit 2 0-0 6, Faith Grover 1 0-0 3, Skyler Valley 0 0-0 0, Zoe Erdman 0 0-0 0, Teaghan Bird 0 0-0 0, Colleen Pals 0 0-0 0, Kasey Springer 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 5-8 46.

Quarter scores: St. Edmond 9-7, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 18-16, 33-26. Three-point goals: St. Edmond 4 (Galles 1, Neverman 1, Harvey 1, Clark 1), Hampton-Dumont/CAL 5. Total rebounds: St. Edmond 26, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 29. Steals: St. Edmond 5, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 11. Blocked shots: St. Edmond 3, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 0. Turnovers: St. Edmond 19, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 10.