The Humboldt girls used a commanding second-half run to get past St. Edmond here Friday night, 63-44.

With the score at 21-20 in favor of the Gaels, the Wildcats would put together a 28-7 burst that included a four-point play from Jayda Hoefer.

Kendal Clark, fresh off earning a second consecutive medal at the state wrestling tournament, posted 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals to lead Humboldt (13-3 overall).

For the Gaels (2-14), Leah Neverman had a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

“Compared to Thursday night, I was much happier with the way we played,” SEHS head coach CJ Tracy said. “We talked before the game about showing more passion and intensity on the court, and I felt like the girls really did that. I know we didn’t get the win, but we made solid strides in the right direction — especially in the first half.”

On the heels of a 13-2 closing run to the opening quarter, the Wildcats were able to take a 17-9 lead. St. Edmond battled back, going up 21-20 on a Leah Johnson bucket with under a minute to go to cap a 12-3 scoring rally.

Humboldt was lifted by Hoefer’s play at the end of the half, though, and came out in the third to score 18 points to build a 14-point advantage.

“We just hit a point where we couldn’t stop them inside with Clark and when we did, she kicked it out for some open looks,” Tracy said. “I feel like if we play with that kind of energy like we did in the first half over four quarters, we’ll be in these games at the end.”

Gracie Harvey and Mya McClain each scored eight for the Gaels, with Johnson adding five rebounds and Kelli Kersten two steals.

Along with Clark, the Wildcats received 15 points and four steals from Hoefer, 14 points and six steals from Jori Hajek and 10 points by Bae Arnold.

Next action for Humboldt will be Saturday at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows. St. Edmond hosts Webster City on Tuesday.

HUMBOLDT 63, ST. EDMOND 44

Humboldt — Jori Hajek 4 5-5 14, Bae Arnold 3 2-2 10, Jayda Hoefer 4 4-6 15, Emily Zaugg 0 0-0 0, Kendal Clark 6 6-7 18, Lauren Murray 0 0-0 0, Kaylee Shaner 0 0-0 0, Alexis Hansen 1 0-2 3, Marissa Kaufman 0 0-0 0, Reagan Lee 1 1-2 3, Joie Smith 0 0-0 0, Kayla Gieber 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 18-26 63.

St. Edmond — Kierstin Clark 1 0-0 2, Mya McClain 3 1-2 8, Leah Neverman 6 3-4 17, Kacey Kruthoff 0 1-2 1, Gracie Harvey 3 0-0 8, Leah Johnson 1 0-0 2, Kelli Kersten 0 0-0 0, Emma Alstott 0 0-0 0, Alyson Nieland 0 1-2 1, Silvia Heldorfer 0 0-0 0, Aubrey Bemrich 1 0-1 2, Alyxis Mericle 0 0-0 0, Michaela Leiting 1 0-0 3. Totals: 17 6-11 44.

Quarter scores: Humboldt led 17-9, 26-22, 44-31. Three-point goals: Humboldt 7 (Hajek 1, Arnold 2, Hoefer 3, Hansen 1), St. Edmond 6 (McClain 1, Neverman 2, Harvey 2, Mericle 1). Total rebounds: Humboldt 31, St. Edmond 38. Steals: Humboldt 18, St. Edmond 6. Turnovers: Humboldt 12, St. Edmond 27.