The top two girls’ basketball teams in the Gopher Conference were once again embroiled in a tight game Friday night, but once again New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva had the upperhand in a 59-55 win against Blooming Prairie in Blooming Prairie.

Alyssa Kerkhoff scored 26 to help lead the Panthers (20-0,10-0) past the Blossoms and all but wrap up a conference championship.

The other Alyssa, Alyssa Hagen, had a big game with her 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

“Another great battle between two tough teams,” said NRHEG head coach Mindy Sparby. “This was a great atmosphere tonight. Both teams played hard and played well. There were no big leads either way all night.”

Sparby said her team came through when it need to the most, coming up with two defensive stops with the game on the line, late.

Blooming Prairie was led by Marie Morem’s 14 points and had Kassie Lueth, Resha Koster and Ashley Hueman all reach double figures in the loss.

The Panthers face Waseca Monday.

NRHEG 59, Blooming Prairie 55

NRHEG 27 32 — 59

BP 25 30 — 55

NRHEG scoring: Alyssa Kerkhoff 26, Alyssa Hagen 16, Jenna Brekke 7,

Kelsey Christensen 6, Anna Schlaak 2, Kate Quam 2.

Blooming Prairie scoring: Marie Morem 14, Kassie Lueth 13, Resha

Koster 10, Ashley Hueman 10.