The Blue Earth Area Bucs got a conference victory Thursday night in New Ulm. They downed the Eagles 61-49.

The game stayed close for the first half of the first half, but a couple of scoring spurts pushed the Bucs out to a 13-point half time lead, 35-22.

Ashley Olson nailed three 3-pointers in the first period for nine of her 10 points.

New Ulm came crawling back in the second half, getting within seven at 39-32.

But BEA kept a comfortable 10 to 15 point lead for the rest of the second period.

The Bucs had four players in double figures for scoring. They were led by Jackie Klinkner, who had a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

Kate Hassing added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Bucs. Hayley Pirsig had 11 points, nine of them in the first half. Olson added a free-throw in the second half to get 10 to add to the Bucs total.Commenting on his team’s performance, coach Al Cue noted, “We are starting to play a little better. I was very happy with our team’s execution.”

Pirsig had five rebounds to go with her 15 points, Dickman finished with 11 points and Hassing finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Olson had nine points and Jackie Klinkner added five assists.

The Bucs out rebounded the Saints 33-28.

The win improves Blue Earth Area’s conference record to 4-2 while they move to 6-6 overall.