HUMBOLDT — Each time the St. Edmond boys would inch closer to Humboldt here Friday night, the Wildcats would have an answer.

Humboldt relied on outside shooting to post a 75-55 victory between the North Central Conference rivals.

“We’d get the lead down and they would put a run together, hitting several big three-pointers,” SEHS head coach Adolph Kochendorfer said. “We have to help sometimes and when we did, they knocked down the open shots.

“They did that to us here last year too. They have some shooters and that was the story of the game.”

Coming off a five-point loss to Spirit Lake last week, the Wildcats (2-1 overall, 1-0 in the NCC) were led by Elliot Carlson’s 24. Evan Hatcher add 18 with Coen Matson scoring 14 and Corey Dettmann 10.

The Gaels (2-2, 1-1) dropped their second straight on the road after falling to South Hamilton Thursday night, 57-56. Sam Mericle had a season-high 27 points, with Jack McElroy chipped in nine and Hunter Horn eight.

“I thought we did a good job on the boards against a bigger team,” Kochendorfer said. “They are physical and do a good job using their body inside.

“It’s all part of the learning curve for our team.”

Humboldt has now won nine in a row in the series.

Up next for the Gaels will be Webster City back at home on Tuesday, followed by a road game at Clear Lake on Friday.

The Wildcats head to Algona on Tuesday, Fort Dodge on Thursday and host Hampton-Dumont/CAL next Friday.

HUMBOLDT 75, ST. EDMOND 55

St. Edmond — Sam Mericle 27, Jack McElroy 9, Hunter Horn 8, Andrew Clavey 4, JT Laufersweiler 5, Jakob Koopman 1.

Humboldt — Elliot Carlson 24, Evan Hatcher 18, Coen Matson 14, Corey Dettmann 10, Mason Van Pelt 4, Riley Sorensen 2, Jackson Dodd 3.

Quarter scores: Humboldt led 16-5, 29-19, 51-38.