In a matchup of the next best in the Gopher Conference, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown defeated the United South Central girls’ basketball 73-66 in Waterville.

Amanda Barton led the Buccaneers, who were in third place in the Gopher Conference, with 26 points and scored her 1,000th career point late in the game.

Once again turnovers hurt the Rebels Friday night. The pressure defense of W-E-M was too much for USC to handle, just like it was against Fairmont and NRHEG.

USC was able to close the game to win four in the second half, but the slow first half was too much to overcome.

Ciara Christenson led the Rebels with 16 points, 11 of which came in the first half.

Kayla Stenzel added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

W-E-M 73, USC 66

USC 28 38 — 66

W-E-M 36 37 — 73

USC scoring: Ciara Christenson 16, Kayla Stenzel 14, Danielle Koestler 9, Taylor Allis 9, Val Sahr 7, Lindsey Dahl 7, Nicole Youngbloom 4.

W-E-M scoring: Amanda Barton 26, Stephanie Lindahl 12, Kylie Dorenkemper 11, Cassie Massberg 10, Danielle Mathias 7, Nicole Brockmiller 4, Megan Bakken 3.