Redwood Valley
The Eagle boys’ basketball team fell into a 41-31 halftime deficit versus the visiting Redwood Valley Cardinals. The Eagles outscored the Cardinals in the second half, but it wasn’t enough in a 78-70 section home loss on Monday, Jan. 27.
The Eagles and Cardinals shot at similar percentages from the floor – the Eagles finishing at 40% and the Cardinals at 39% – but the Eagles lost the turnover battle, committing 25, compared to just 11 for the Cardinals.
Despite similar shooting percentages, the Cardinals shot better from three-point range, finishing 27% (11 of 40), compared to 20% (6 of 30) for the Eagles.
Led by Wyatt Moehrle’s game-high 19 rebounds, the Eagles won the rebounding battle by a 49-39 margin. Speaking of Moehrle, he led the Eagles with a double-double performance, posting not only those 19 rebounds but also a team-high 25 points and the team’s two blocks.
Blake Glenz posted 19 points and a team-high three steals, and Riley Geislinger and Caleb DeRose each chipped in nine points to also pace the Eagles.
Royalton
Looking to end a five-game losing streak, the Eagles jumped out to a 36-26 halftime lead over the Royalton Royals, shooting 46% from the floor in that first half.
The team went cold in the second half, shooting just 16% (5 of 30), and eventually paid the price in a 58-53 conference home loss on Tuesday, Jan. 28. With the defeat, the team’s losing streak extended to six.
Offensively, the Eagles shot 31% from the floor, compared to 44% for the Royals.
Wyatt Moehrle led the Eagles with another double-double performance, this time posting a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds. Blake Glenz hit 11 points and had team-highs in both rebounds (six) and assists (four). Riley Geislinger chipped in seven points and nine rebounds to also pace the Eagles.
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
The Eagles fell into a 27-20 halftime deficit on the road versus the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars. In this half, the Eagles shot 32% and reached the free-throw line twice. The team posted an increase in its offensive production, but so too did the Jaguars in an eventual 67-62 Eagles’ conference road loss on Jan. 30.
In this second half, the Eagles shot 40% from the floor, including 35% (7 of 20) from three-point range.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars shot 52% from the floor, and reached the free-throw line more frequently in that second half. The Jaguars reached the free-throw line 15 more times and made five more free-throws, in that second half compared to the Eagles.
For the game, the Jaguars finished 16 of 32 (50%) from the free-throw line, and the Eagles 8 of 11 (72%).
Offensively, for the game, the Eagles shot 36% from the floor. Wyatt Moehrle led the Eagles with a double-double performance of 25 points and 11 rebounds, along with a team-high five assists. Before fouling out, Caleb DeRose finished with 12 points, coming exclusively on four made three-pointers. Riley Geislinger and Blake Glenz chipped in eight points each to also pace the Eagles.
Defensively, Moehrle led the team in blocks with four, and Brayden Becker in steals with three.
With the loss – the team’s seventh straight – the Eagles fell to 5-13 on the season.
Next action
After hosting Foley on Feb. 4, the Eagles host Paynesville on Thursday, Feb. 6. The following week, the team hits the road to play Kerkhoven-Murdock–Sunburg on Monday, Feb. 10, and then Montevideo on Tuesday, Feb. 11.