Mike Kraft/MDN Our Redeemer’s freshman guard Tessa Carlson goes up for a layup in front of Bishop Ryan’s Haylee Schwan (1) during the second half of a game on Monday, Jan. 5, at Bishop Ryan.

For the second time in three nights, a team from Our Redeemer’s strolled into the Lions’ Den at Bishop Ryan and walked away victorious.

Over the weekend, it was the boys basketball team accomplishing the feat. Two days later, the girls basketball team followed suit.

The Knights surrendered a season-low 24 points and received scoring contributions from nine different players in a 55-24 victory over the Lions on Monday, Jan. 5. Our Redeemer’s earned its first District 6 victory of the season after starting the year winless in district play after three games, creating a greater sense of urgency against its crosstown rivals.

“Coming in 0-3, we needed to see one go through the hoop and tonight the girls came out and played really well,” Our Redeemer’s coach Hart Andes said. “Bishop Ryan played a really tough game and was super physical. Our girls stayed strong, played through and got the win tonight.”

Offense was at a premium for both teams early, but the Knights began to create a bit of separation toward the end of the first quarter. Our Redeemer’s closed out the opening quarter on a 13-1 run to take a 19-6 lead into the second stanza. Bentley Schneider drained a 3-pointer to give the Lions their only lead of the contest at 5-4 before the team went the remainder of the opening quarter without a field goal.

Our Redeemer’s (5-4 overall, 1-3 District 6) relied on its depth right from the onset. Eight different players in a Knights uniform scored in the first eight minutes and all nine that saw game action tallied at least a point.

“We have everyone on the bench coming in and playing and that is really important as a key part of how we play with fresh energy and fresh legs,” Our Redeemer’s freshman guard Ruby Olson said.

Olson was one of the four bench players to contribute to the offensive production. She finished with nine points, scoring seven in the fourth quarter.

“It makes me feel like a part of the team and everyone that came in scored, so I felt like we really played as a team,” Olson said.

When the shots weren’t falling for the Knights, they focused on other aspects of their game, including defense and rebounding. The Lions (1-8, 1-2) were unable to chip away at the hole they found themselves in despite Our Redeemer’s managing to knock down just six shots over the course of the second and third quarters. That’s because the Knights’ defense limited Bishop Ryan to just 12 points over that span on four made field goals.

The Knights controlled the glass on both the offensive and defensive ends. The offensive rebounds led to opportunities to extend their lead at the free-throw line, which they took full advantage. The Knights attempted 28 free throws for the game, knocking down 15. The Lions were just 2-for-10 from the charity stripe.

“We talk about our defense and doing the small things right,” Andes said. “If we do those things right, the offense comes and tonight we did the same things right like getting rebounds and making free throws, playing tough defense. From there, the offense came and we did well.”

Half of Our Redeemer’s points in the second quarter came from the free-throw line. Hazel Engelhard knocked down a 3-pointer right before the horn to give the Knights a 29-10 lead at halftime.

“We came in ready for this game and our first district win,” Our Redeemer’s sophomore Auna Peterson said. “Everyone had to be ready to play and we just came out and gave it our all and executed well.”

Shiloh Christianson opened the second half with her second 3-pointer of the night for the Lions, but the team again went cold from the field. Bishop Ryan finished with eight field goals – six from behind the 3-point line.

“We just have to make shots,” Bishop Ryan coach Cole Edwards said. “In the past, we’ve struggled to get shots up and had a ton of turnovers. We still have too many turnovers, but we were getting good looks and that’s all you can ask for. We just have to get them to fall.”

The Knights further extended their advantage, with Peterson knocking down a pair of shots and Piper Altringer draining a 3 in the final minute of the third quarter.

“I just looked for an open shot,” Peterson said. “They were really clogging the paint so I was able to get out on the outside and off the screen and roll, I was able to be there and shoot.”

Peterson led all scorers with 11 points. Lauren Strom finished with 10 points, going 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. Kadyn Braun added seven and Carlson and Engelhard each provided five points.

Christianson finished with a team-high seven points for the Lions.

The Knights have now won four straight meetings with the Lions dating back to the 2022-23 season. Bishop Ryan’s last victory against the Knights came back on Jan. 13, 2022.

“I always love playing against Bishop Ryan,” Andes said. “I’m really good friends with Cole Edwards and it’s always fun. This is a tough place to play.”

Bishop Ryan plays its second game in as many nights when it hosts Berthold on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 7:15 p.m. Our Redeemer’s travels to play Westhope-Newburg on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m.