Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Chloe Palmer of St. Edmond works her way into the paint against Baxter on Tuesday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

St. Edmond head girls coach CJ Tracy summed up a 52-40 victory over Baxter here Tuesday night with four simple words.

“We found a way,” Tracy said. “We dealt with foul trouble, adversity and missing a starter. But we just kept fighting.

“I’m so proud of these girls. Each and every single one of them that stepped on the court gave it everything they had.”

Eden Horn flirted with a triple-double to lead the Gaels (17-5 overall), who now prepare for top-ranked (Class 1A) Bishop Garrigan in a regional semifinal in Algona on Friday night.

The Golden Bears (20-2) handled West Bend-Mallard last night, 76-17.

Horn finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds, nine blocked shots and a steal. Junior Chloe Palmer added 16 points.

Seniors Maggie Flaherty and Anna Lursen combined for 10 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

Flaherty replaced Sophia Schlienz in the starting lineup, as Schlienz missed the game with an illness.

“Maggie did great,” Tracy said. “She is gaining confidence in her shot and she knocked down a couple. She played strong defense and got after the ball.”

St. Edmond never trailed, taking an early 11-2 lead and going up by eight after the first. Horn and Palmer scored all 15 for the Gaels, as the duo recorded 26 of the 30 at the break.

“Eden really used her size to her advantage,” Tracy said. “I thought we did a great job of looking to get her the ball, and when she was double- and triple-teamed, she found the opener shooter.”

Palmer capped a quick 7-0 run in the second with a 3-pointer as St. Edmond pushed its edge to 14. The Gaels got key minutes from several reserves when the junior guard found herself on the bench in foul trouble.

“Ava (Bradley) and Jade (Rock) really helped us out,” Tracy said. “And when Eden picked up her third, Olivia (Andrew) came on after being out with an injury and gave us solid minutes.

“Like I said, I’m just really proud of the girls. We knew it was going to be a battle and they really wanted it.”

Flaherty put the finishing touch on the game in the fourth period with a basket that extended the advantage to 47-30 in favor of St. Edmond.

Baxter (16-7) struggled to solve the inside presence of the 6-foot-2 freshman Horn, who altered nearly as many shots as she blocked. Leading scorers Emileigh Beals and Kamdyn Krampe went a combined 8-for-31 from the field.

Awaiting the winner between St. Edmond and Garrigan will be either Lake Mills (16-5) or Mason City Newman (16-6). The regional final is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25.

ST. EDMOND 52, BAXTER 40

St. Edmond — Anna Lursen 2-3 0-0 4, Maggie Flaherty 3-3 0-0 6, Chloe Palmer 6-16 2-3 16, Eden Horn 9-19 6-8 24, Abby Huss 0-8 1-2 1, Jade Rock 0-0 0-0 0, Ava Bradley 0-1 0-0 0, Olivia Andrews 0-1 1-4 1. Totals: 20-51 10-17 52.

Baxter — Avery Wonders 2-4 2-2 6, Olivia Parrie 3-7 1-5 7, Emileigh Beals 5-10 2-4 15, Kamdyn Krampe 3-21 5-7 11, Kaylyn Krampe 0-5 0-0 0, Myah Johnston 0-5 1-2 1, Brylea Nicholson 0-1 0-0 0, Callie Cross 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 13-53 11-20 40.

Quarter scores: St. Edmond led 15-7, 30-17, 40-26. Three-point goals: St. Edmond 2-13 (Palmer 2-8, Huss 0-5), Baxter 3-21 (Parrig 0-2, Beals 3-7, Kam. Krampe 0-8, Kay. Krampe 0-2, Johnston 0-2). Total rebounds: St. Edmond 37, Baxter 30. Steals: St. Edmond 5, Baxter 9. Blocked shots: St. Edmond 10, Baxter 1. Turnovers: St. Edmond 15, Baxter 10. Team fouls: St. Edmond 16, Baxter 18. Fouled out: Kay. Krampe. Technical foul: Baxter bench.