Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Chloe Palmer of St. Edmond tries to score as Hannah Stalzer of West Bend-Mallard (2) defends on Thursday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

CJ Tracy had plenty of powerful words for his St. Edmond girls following Thursday night’s tough 54-50 setback to West Bend-Mallard.

After falling behind by as many as 20 points early, the Gaels battled back inside the SEHS gym, even having a chance to tie the game late in the fourth.

“I told the girls that I would take them into battle against anybody — and I mean anybody,” Tracy said. “They fight, they play hard and they gave it everything they had out there.

“I could not be more proud of them for that.”

The Wolverines (12-5 overall) received a game-high 33 points from senior Hailey Stalzer, including 13 in the second quarter. She was the lone WB-M player to reach double figures, as Addie Montag added nine points and 12 rebounds.

St. Edmond (5-10) was led by Josie Harvey’s 16 points. Abby Huss posted 12, and Chloe Palmer contributed 11 points with seven rebounds and four steals.

Down 41-29 entering the fourth quarter, the Gaels started working to get to the free throw line. They would finish 12-for-17 there over the final eight minutes, including an 8 of 9 effort by Palmer.

“I thought we were settling too much for jump shots early,” Tracy said. “We talked about attacking, getting to the paint and dishing out from there.

“We really executed well in the fourth.”

Harvey and Bradley had back-to-back triples to trim the deficit down to seven with just over five to play. Stalzer carried the West Bend-Mallard attack, scoring eight, but the long-ball helped St. Edmond make it 50-46 with 1:01 left as Huss sank a 3-pointer.

The Gaels had a chance to tie it at 51, but a Bradley shot rimmed in and out. Stalzer sank two free throws, and Lexi Welter made one to seal the victory.

“I thought we did a decent job on the boards against a very big, very physical team,” Tracy said. “They are a strong group, but we really battled.”

Anna Lursen recorded 11 rebounds and two steals. Harvey added seven rebounds and a blocked shot. Bradley recorded two steals.

St. Edmond heads to 12th-ranked (Class 3A) Hampton-Dumont/CAL on Friday night.

WEST BEND-MALLARD 54, ST. EDMOND 50

St. Edmond — Anna Lursen 0 2-2 2, Payton Bradley 3 0-0 9, Chloe Palmer 2 7-10 11, Abby Huss 3 3-4 12, Josie Harvey 4 5-11 16, Maggie Flaherty 0 0-0 0, Sophia Schlienz 0 0-0 0, Olivia Andrew 0 0-0 0, Ava Bradley 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 17-27 50.

West Bend-Mallard — Hannah Stalzer 0 0-0 0, Hailey Stalzer 11 5-7 33, Addie Montag 4 1-3 9, Tiffany Fehr 1 2-4 4, Lexi Welter 0 1-2 1, Chloe Dickey 3 1-2 7, Scarlett Olson 0 0-0 0, Olivia Dickey 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 10-17 54.

Quarter scores: West Bend-Mallard led 15-7, 31-23, 41-29. Three-point goals: St. Edmond 9 (P. Bradley 3, Huss 3, Harvey 3), West Bend-Mallard 6 (Hai. Stalzer 6). Total rebounds: St. Edmond 33, West Bend-Mallard 39. Steals: St. Edmond 9, West Bend-Mallard 12. Blocked shots: St. Edmond 1, West Bend-Mallard 1. Turnovers: St. Edmond 15, West Bend-Mallard 19. Team fouls: St. Edmond 16, West Bend-Mallard 21. Fouled out: Han. Stalzer, Hai. Stalzer, Montag.