In a battle of two top teams the Exira-EHK girls basketball team took down the twelfth ranked Coon Rapids-Bayard Crusaders 50-34 on Tuesday night. In a game that featured solid offense vs solid defense, offense prevailed. The Spartans took over the game in the third quarter and never looked back on their way to a 16-point victory and their thirteenth win of the season.

The first half was a battle. Seemingly every time the ball hit the floor, athletes from either side were jumping, diving and scrambling for the ball. Needless to say, that rebounding was hotly contested. There were no fewer than three jump balls in the first quarter alone. However, the Crusaders got the jump out of the gate building a small lead. The other talking point was both defenses’ ability to cause turnovers. Whether it be forced or unforced both teams turned the ball over in the first half. The Spartans trailed for most of the opening half but went on a run in the final two minutes to take a 21-15 lead at the half.

The Spartans were able to carry their momentum into the second half and dominated the third quarter of play. Jaelynn and Taryn Petersen led the way as the Spartans opened up the game. Coming into the contest Coon Rapids-Bayard was allowing just 29 points per game and Exira-EHK nearly doubled that. Outside of the offense the Spartans also limited their turnovers in the second half, while continuing to force Crusader turnovers and rebound well.

The Win moves Exira-EHK to 13-3 while Coon Rapids-Bayard fell to 12-3. The Spartans will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to Panorama.