Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Michaela Leiting of St. Edmond defends on Tuesday night against Hampton-Dumont/CAL in the Gael gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The St. Edmond girls honored their seniors here Tuesday night with a complete defensive effort.

However, the Gaels struggled from the field, falling for the second consecutive day to Hampton-Dumont/CAL, 41-25.

Seniors Michaela Leiting, Silvia Heldorfer, Kaili Henning and Maya Neverman all made starts for St. Edmond (4-17 overall, 3-11 in North Central Conference).

“Those girls have always done what we have asked of them and put forth tremendous effort,” SEHS head coach CJ Tracy said. “I wish we could have sent them out with a win, but I was proud of our defensive effort on the night.

“That is a very tough team to defend and I thought after playing Monday, we came out with much better energy and effort.”

For the Gaels, Josie Harvey had eight points with Chloe Palmer and Ava Underberg each adding four. Anna Lursen and Palmer each had eight rebounds.

“We did a much better job on the boards and limited their second-chance points,” Tracy said. “We battled and fought, we just couldn’t buy a bucket.

“We got good shots and looks all game long; nothing was falling for us.”

St. Edmond took a 14-9 lead early in the second quarter when Underberg capped a 9-0 run with a bucket. From there, the Bulldogs (11-10, 8-6) outscored them 11-3 to take a four-point advantage into the break.

For Hampton-Dumont/CAL, Jordan Valley had a double-double, scoring 18 points with 10 steals. Twin sister Brooklyn Valley also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Gaels will now prepare for postseason play starting Thursday at Glidden-Ralston in a Class 1A, Region 2 opener. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

HAMPTON-DUMONT/CAL 41, ST. EDMOND 25

St. Edmond — Michaela Leiting 1 0-2 3, Silvia Heldorfer 1 0-0 2, Kaili Henning 0 0-0 0, Maya Neverman 0 0-0 0, Josie Harvey 3 2-2 8, Anna Lursen 0 1-2 1, Chloe Palmer 1 2-4 4, Payton Bradley 0 0-0 0, Abby Huss 1 0-0 3, Ava Underberg 2 0-0 4, Sophia Schlienz 0 0-0 0, Braelynn Rees 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 5-9 25.

Hampton-Dumont/CAL — Jordan Valley 6 5-7 18, Zoe Erdman 0 1-2 1, Kenzie Moorehead 0 0-0 0, Lily Hambly 3 4-8 10, Brooklyn Valley 2 0-0 5, Jade Johnson 0 0-0 0, Addison Aalbers 1 0-2 3, Madison Heilskov 2 0-0 4, Monica Vela 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 10-19 41.

Quarter scores: St. Edmond led 12-9; Hampton-Dumont/CAL led 21-17, 28-19. Three-point goals: St. Edmond 2 (Leiting 1, Huss 1), Hampton-Dumont/CAL 3 (J. Valley 1, B. Valley 1, Aalbers 1). Total rebounds: St. Edmond 43, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 28. Steals: St. Edmond 7, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 20. Blocked shots: St. Edmond 3, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 1. Turnovers: St. Edmond 30, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 15. Team fouls: St. Edmond 16, Hampton-Dumont/CAL 12.