Minnesota West hoops to play at Anoka-Ramsey on Saturday

Minnesota West will be on the road Saturday for a pair of basketball games against nationally ranked Anoka-Ramsey.

The Bluejay men, now 9-7 this season following a 99-72 Wednesday night home win over Minnesota State-Fergus Falls, had lost their previous four games — the last three without injured leading scorer Keion Irvin. The sophomore forward scored 14 points in his return Wednesday and is averaging 18.0 per contest this winter on 54.1% shooting from the floor. Kewone Jones, who had a team-high 23 against the Spartans, is averaging 16.4 points a game.

Anoka-Ramsey didn't break the NJCAA Top 15 rankings for the men's Division 3 poll but is among those also receiving votes. The Golden Rams are 13-3 and will be coming off a 97-84 loss at Ridgewater on Wednesday. Jamal Woods leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game, while Preston Thielke nets 15.8 per outing.

In women's action, it's a big showdown Saturday as No. 3 ranked Minnesota will meet top-ranked Anoka-Ramsey. The 12-5 Lady Jays topped Fergus Falls 100-51 on Wednesday and are now 12-5. Sophomore Katrina Schutz leads Minnesota West in scoring and rebounding at 16.4 points and 8.7 boards per game.

The Golden Rams, meanwhile, are 12-3 this season and won their conference opener at Ridgewater 75-53. Mariam Olowonle averages 19.4 on 56.1% shooting from the field as well as 11.1 rebounds a game to lead her team in both categories. 

Saturday's women's game is set for 1 p.m., with the men to follow.

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The Worthington High School girls hockey team was on the road at New Ulm on Thursday and was blanked 5-0 by the Eagles.

The Trojans were outshot in the first period 15-2, but were still able to remain in a scoreless tie. WHS was outshot 12-5 in the second period, and New Ulm got a pair of goals from Isabelle Forstner to secure a 2-0 edge. Worthington was unable to take advantage of a prolonged power play in the period resulting from an Eagles' boarding penalty.

New Ulm scored three additional times in the third period to put the game away. The Eagles ended up with 47 shots on goal compared to just 13 for Worthington, which got 42 saves from Macie Mahlberg. WHS is now 6-10 on the season.

In boys hockey, it was an even more difficult night for the Trojans as they were defeated at home by New Ulm 14-0. Bodey Hagberg and Hunter Larson each had hat tricks for the Eagles, who put 44 shots on goal compared to just 10 for Worthington.

The game was delayed for nearly an hour following an injury that took place with 7:11 remaining in the second period. Trojan goalkeeper Tyson Petersen was run into near the net and wound up on the ice for a long period, and medical personnel took care not to move him out of caution. He was transported to the emergency room at Sanford Worthington Medical Center.

WHS is now 2-12 on the season and will next entertain Marshall on Monday. The girls, meanwhile, are back in action Friday night when they host South Central.

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The Worthington Trojans wrestling team was at Fairmont on Thursday night and picked up a 35-33 triumph over the Martin County Red Bulls as part of a triangular meet.

Earning wins by fall for the Trojans were Dominic Larson at 107 (1:16), Jace Riemersma-Feit at 121 (4:49) and Raylen Teerink at 189 (1:58). Bly Scott and Sam Dagel each won by technical fall at 114 and 127, respectively, while Bryan Gonzales captured a victory by major decision at 172. Kian Ling got the three other Worthington points by winning via decision at 145.

WHS competes at a tournament in Marshall on Saturday.

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In area girls basketball Thursday, it was:

Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey 60, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 45

Adrian-Ellsworth 63, Murray County Central 54

Fairmont 50, Martin County West 24

Westbrook-Walnut Grove 59, Southwest Minnesota Christian 45

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 63, Edgerton 56 (OT)

Hills-Beaver Creek 78, Red Rock Central 19

Dawson-Boyd 70. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 62

George-Little Rock 62, Boyden-Hull 41

Cherokee 63, Central Lyon 52

Emmetsburg 52, Okoboji 38

In area boys basketball Thursday:

Red Rock Central 65, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 47

Jackson County Central 80, New Ulm 67

Southwest Minnesota Christian 92, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 52

Pipestone Area 63, Lac Qui Parle Valley 27

Boyden-Hull 67, George-Little Rock 24

Central Lyon 58, Cherokee 52

In area girls hockey Thursday:

Marshall 5, Fairmont 0

In area boys hockey Thursday:

Marshall 11, Fairmont 1