ALGONA — Two-time defending Class 1A state champion Bishop Garrigan posted a convincing 78-17 victory here Tuesday night over St. Edmond in the opener for both.

The Golden Bears, minus all-staters Audi Crooks and Molly Joyce, raced out to a 49-8 lead at the half. Sacha Alesch had 24 points with five 3-pointers while Abbie Capesius adding 12 and Zoe Montag 11.

Alesch, Capesius and Montag were all key players a year ago for Garrigan.

Gracelyn Eastman added 13 and Emmi Bartolo had eight as the Golden Bears made 12 three-pointers as a team.

“Garrigan executed and we didn’t,” SEHS head coach CJ Tracy said. “We will learn from this and move forward.

“They are a program that has been to Wells Fargo Arena four straight years. We are trying to build our culture. There were some good things that came out and several things on our list to improve upon.”

For the Gaels, freshman Chloe Palmer scored 12 points with a pair of triples. Payton Bradley and freshman Abby Huss each had two with Anna Lursen scoring one.

St. Edmond is now off until Dec. 1 when they host Clarion-Goldfield/Dows at 6:15 p.m.