ABOVE THE CROWD — Martin County West’s Emily Anderson (35) elevates to shoot a jumper over Madelia defender Veronica Ibeling (13) during Valley Conference basketball action Monday night in Sherburn. The Mavericks’ Liv Borchardt (11) and Ella Carlson (23), along with the Blackhawks’ Alicia Lugo (far right), watch the action. (Photo by Greg Abel)

SHERBURN — Emily Anderson scored a game-leading 15 points to guide the Martin County West Mavericks to a 78-39 Valley Conference win over the Madelia Blackhawks during Valley Conference basketball action Monday night in Sherburn.

The Mavericks built off of their 20-point victory over Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons three nights previously to score back-to-back conference wins.

“She’s just an all-around great player,” Mavericks coach Michael Slaba said of Emily Anderson. “With her having 15 points, it was definitely a good all-around scoring night and that’s kind of what this team needs.”

After a competitive first half that saw Martin County West holding onto a 31-19 advantage at halftime, the Mavericks capitalized on a strong second-half effort to score 47 points on the way to the 39-point win.

“Our keys to the game were energy, fundamentals and boxing out, and we finally did those things in the second half,” Slaba said. “It took us a whole half to wake up, but once we did, we were able to get out and go and apply some pressure.”

Anderson also grabbed eight rebounds, as well as scoring the first of two Maverick 3-pointers during the contest. Center Ella Carlson came off the bench to contribute a double-figure scoring total with 10 points, as well as taking the team lead in rebounds with 11 on the game.

Forward Lucy Larson contributed nine points and eight rebounds to the Mavericks’ winning ways, while forward Thea Anderson and guard Kari Matejka sank eight points apiece in the win. Forward Avery Sanders came off the bench to haul in seven rebounds as well as capture four points.

Guard Victoria Hemmingsen led the Blackhawks with 12 points, while center Veronica Ibeling earned a team-leading nine rebounds. Center Katherine DeVlaeminck scored eight points with a pair of successful shots from beyond the 3-point arc.

The victory also completed a series sweep for the Mavericks, as they defeated the Blackhawks 64-20 in their previous matchup on Dec. 20.

The Mavericks (5-8) will next play on Thursday night as they travel to face Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther in another conference matchup in Northrop, while the Blackhawks (1-12) go up against Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons on the road Thursday night.

•

North Union 73, North Iowa 36 — The Warriors utilized balanced scoring and accurate 3-point shooting to trample the Bison during Top of Iowa Conference action Monday night in Buffalo Center, Iowa.

Sam Nielsen netted 11 points to pace North Union, while teammates Olivia Von Bank, Cassie Beadle and Lily Henderson tossed in 10 points apiece.

Naomi Jones and Alivia Charlton nearly made it six Warriors in double digits by finishing with nine and eight points, respectively.

Beadle connected on three treys to top North Union’s 10-for-21 shooting performance from behind the arc.

Von Bank, Henderson and Jones each garnered four steals to pace the Warriors’ defensive effort, while Libby Stevens and Maggie Engelby contributed three thefts apiece.

Henderson led the green-and-white’s boardwork by grabbing seven rebounds, while Charlton supplied six caroms. Henderson and Emily Meyer each doled out three assists, while Stevens and Shelby Fraker added six and five points, respectively.

Nielsen and Von Bank combined for an early 9-0 run to break open a 5-4 game before Beadle and Henderson connected from 3-point distance to trigger a 13-0 offensive surge near the end of the opening half. Beadle and Henderson drained back-to-back 3s, Nielsen hit the front end of a one-and-one situation, Jones sank two charity tosses and Beadle converted a rare 4-point play by swooshing a 3-pointer and making the ensuing ‘and-1.’

Ahead 43-22 during the early stages of the third quarter, Beadle knocked down another 3-pointer to serve as the catalyst behind North Union’s 10-0 run. Jones hit a breakaway layup off a Beadle steal-turned-layup, Henderson drilled a trey and Von Bank tossed in two free throws.

The Warriors made 15 of 46 shots from 2-point range and 13 of 18 at the free throw line.

North Union (12-4) plays host to Belmond-Klemme tonight in Armstrong.

•

Blue Earth Area 51, Tri-City United 46 — Kate Armon and Sophia Keister joined forces to generate 29 points to engineer the Bucs’ five-point non-league triumph over the Titans on Monday night in Blue Earth.

Armon topped BEA by scoring 15 points, grabbing seven rebounds and distributing four assists, with Keister scoring 14 points to complement garnering six boards.

Maddie Schiltz recorded a double-double performance of 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucs, while teammate Lola Lundquist also scored 11 points.

Blue Earth Area (4-11) travels to New Ulm on Thursday night for a Big South Conference game.

•

St. Clair 55, Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther 45 — Stephanie Cink and Kayli Hinze combined for 42 points to power the Cyclones to a 10-point Valley Conference victory over the Jaguars on Monday night in St. Clair.

Cink connected on a game-best six 3-pointers to pace her game-high 22-point performance, while Hinze contributed 20 points to the winning effort.

Augustana University commit Katelyn Diegnau produced 19 points, five rebounds and five blocked shots to top the Jaguars, while teammate Brooke Grathwohl collected 12 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Olivia Mattson led all rebounders by pulling down 14 caroms for the Jaguars, while teammates McKenna Benck and Bethany Petrowiak each chipped in five points.

The Jaguars (8-6) play host to Fairmont in a 7 p.m. nonconference game tonight in Northrop. St. Clair (13-5) travels to Le Sueur-Henderson on Friday night for a non-league contest.