ELK RIVER - Kylee Heurung tossed in 18 points, but the No. 2 Elk River Elks were too much for the seventh-seeded Brainerd Warriors who lost 80-45 in the quarterfinals of the Section 8-4A tournament Wednesday.
Heurung netted 12 of her points in the first half and was joined in double figures by Tedi Ramberg with 10.
The 24-3 Elks have won seven in a row and are ranked fifth in Class 4A.
Gabi Haack paced the Elks with 19 points, 16 coming in the first half. Ava Kramer added 13 and Abi Scheid turned in 11 first half points that helped give Elk River a 44-28 lead at halftime.
"We lost to a very good team tonight," said Brainerd head coach Troy Nelson. "The girls came out with energy and played really hard. We shot well and executed the defensive game plan, but had too many turnovers and lost the rebounding battle.
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Brainerd turned the ball over 28 times and the Elks just nine. The Elks pulled down 41 rebounds to the Warriors 28, 10 by Katy Johnson.
The Warriors finish the season 14-12. They had won four straight and five of their last six heading into the tournament.
"It is a tough way to end the season, but this game doesn't define our season," said Nelson. "These girls had a great year and have a lot to be proud of. We are really going to miss this senior class."
Elk River 44 36 - 80
Brainerd 28 17 - 45
ELK RIVER
Ava Kramer 13, Kelsie Cox 5, Alyse Grunewald 6, Jayme Langbehn 4, Anna Rollag 8, Sidney Wentland 5, Danielle Lachmiller 5, Gabi Haack 19, Gabbi Jung 2, Britley Plautz 2, Abi Scheid 11. FG 28-71 (39 percent). FT 19-26 (73 percent). 3-point 5-18 (28 percent).
BRAINERD
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Jenna Degen 2, Katy Johnson 8, Kylee Heurung 18, Tedi Ramberg 10, Ashley Huber 2, Mikinze Boeder 5. FG 14-36 (39 percent). FT 16-21 (76 percent). 3-point 1-5 (20 percent). Overall: Brainerd finishes 14-12.
