Overview
- The top-seeded Tigers won the Class 3A semifinal 65-51 on Thursday at Williams Arena, improving to 29-1 with 28 consecutive victories and securing a second championship appearance since 2023.
- Senior Jayci Rath scored 20 points and hit 5 of 8 threes, with 12 coming after halftime.
- Senior guard Audrey Shindelar added 16 points, including 11 before the break, and Leah Hebl drilled a key three during the run that pushed the margin to 43-32.
- Cretin-Derham Hall briefly led early but trailed for more than 31 minutes, as Stewartville’s defense and composure closed out the game that head coach Tanner Teige said the team "dialed in" late.
- Stewartville advanced to the semifinal after a 73-54 quarterfinal over Willmar in which it forced 23 turnovers, reinforcing a defense-first identity.