By Ryan Hanson, Tribune sports writer

MANKATO &045;&160;The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva boys’ basketball team hit a roadblock on the road to state Friday night. The Panthers fell to Maple River in the Section 2A,Class AA championship game, 68-51.

The NRHEG defense struggled all night against the Eagles from Maple River. The Eagles were able to exploit their size advantage and get plenty of penetration into the NRHEG defense.

Maple River’s size, especially with a 6-foot-9 post player led to several easy buckets throughout the game.

The first half was up and down for the Panthers. They scored the first two baskets of the game, but then allowed the Eagles to go on a 11-point run. With three minutes remaining in the half NRHEG was trailing by 10.

Despite the Panthers up and down play Justin Stieglbauer turned in an impressive half of ball. He put up 12 points in the opening half and went a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

&8220;He really stepped up and hit some huge shots,&8221; said NRHEG head coach Matt Eppen.

The closing minutes of the half saw the Panthers rally to pull within six points of their opponents.

Maple River exploded in the opening minutes of the second half and forced NRHEG to play aggressively for the remainder of the game. About six minutes into the half the Eagles had opened up a 14 point lead.

&8220;They made some nice adjustments to our sagging in the second half and went on a little run that we just were not able to climb out of,&8221; said Eppen.

The Panthers were able close the gap to 10

with seven minutes left in the game, but their desperate attempts for points in the closing minutes failed as Maple River slowly pulled away.

Stieglbauer again led the way in the second half hitting three 3-pointers for the Panthers.

&8220;I am so proud of the way he played at the end of the season. I can’t say enough good things about him,&8221; said Eppen.

The Panthers had eight players on the scoring sheet. Steiglbauer led the way with 21 points and Joe McGuire finished the game with eight points.

Although NRHEG was able to advance in section play using its depth and stingy defense that combination was not there Friday. The Panthers closed out their season with an 18-10 mark overall.

&8220;I think everybody gave their best effort, we battled all season and tonight was no different we just couldn’t get it done in the end,&8221; said Eppen.