MANSON — Holding a slim lead heading into the fourth quarter here Thursday night, the St. Edmond girls put together one of the best stretches of play under head coach CJ Tracy.

Josie Harvey scored 19 points, Payton Bradley had 13 and Chloe Palmer 12 as the Gaels secured a 60-43 victory over Manson Northwest Webster.

St. Edmond (4-7 overall) outscored the Cougars (4-9) in the final eight minutes of play by a 23-8 count to seal the win.

“That was definitely one of the best — if not the best — quarters of basketball we have played since I took over,” Tracy said. “I thought the girls did a great job of finding the open player, making shots and playing phenomenal defense.”

The Gaels led by one at the end of the first and second quarters, and held a 37-35 edge going into the fourth.

“We told them after the third (period) that getting stops would decide the outcome,” Tracy said. “We knew (Manson NW’s) size would be a concern coming in, and we were playing with a shorter bench, but the girls did a great job battling inside.

“Josie came in this week and got some extra shooting in and it paid off. She knocked down a couple of big three-pointers, made open shots and got to the free throw line.”

For the Cougars, Sophia McCullough scored 18 points and Ava Moline added 13.

St. Edmond has now won two in a row this week, holding Eagle Grove and Manson Northwest Webster to a combined 70 points. The 60 scored by the Gaels was the most since last year when they downed Glidden-Ralston in the opening round of the postseason, 67-30.

Abby Huss added six points and Ava Andrew had two on Thursday. For Manson NW, Ella Shannon contributed six points.

“The girls just looked extremely good playing together,” Tracy said. “Hopefully we can keep this going and close out the week 3-0.”

On Friday night, St. Edmond heads to Webster City to meet the Lynx in North Central Conference action.

ST. EDMOND 60, MANSON NW 43

St. Edmond — Anna Lursen 8, Payton Bradley 13, Chloe Palmer 12, Abby Huss 6, Josie Harvey 19, Ava Andrew 2.

Manson NW — Sophia McCullough 18, Ava Moline 13, Ella Shannon 6, Evelyn Droste 3, Bellah Aquino 3.

Quarter scores: St. Edmond 10-9, 23-22, 37-35.