NEW RICHLAND- The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers boys’ basketball team entered Tuesday with looking to end a five game losing streak as they hosted the Medford Tigers.

Matt Carlson scored 27 point for the Panthers(3-10 overall, 2-4 Gopher Conference), while Matt Nafe recorded 10 points as the Panthers defeated the Tigers (4-7 overall,0-6 Gopher) 66-55 ending their five game losing streak.

“Our pressure led to a lot of turnovers and easy looks for us in the first half,” NRHEG coach Pat Churchill said. “Our defense in the first half set the tone for the game.”

The NRHEG defense forced 20 Medford turnovers in the first half alone as the Tigers committed 30 turnovers in the game.

On the offensive side of the ball, Matt Carlson provided the Panthers with a lift as he scored 27 points and shot the ball extremely well against Medford.

“Matt Carlson had an outstanding shooting night tonight,” Churchill said. “He was getting open out of our motion and were were finding him and he was hitting them.”

For the Panthers, this was the first home game they had played in New Richland in about a month as they played their last 10 games on the road.

“It felt really good to be back home,” Churchill said. “We have not played at home since December 14th. We had struggled with some good teams on the road, but I thought we played a much better overall game tonight.”

NRHEG is back in action on Thursday as they host the Randolph Rockets. 

NRHEG 65, Medford 55

Medford 17 38 – 55

NRHEG 35 30 – 65

NRHEG scoring: Matt Carlson 27, Matt Nafe 10, Evan Ferber 8, Hunter Eustice 8, Sam Lundberg 4, Tyler Sorenson 2, Brian Billing 2, Spencer Hanna 2, Carter Tollefson 2, Lucas Meyer 1.