Goodhue’s 41-38 victory over Central Minnesota Christian on Friday at Target Center may not have won any style points but to the Wildcats, it was a thing of beauty.

“They’re a great defensive team. Their points per game are very low, as are ours,” Goodhue coach Matt Halverson said. “We didn’t think it was going to be a track meet or a 60s, 70s game. We knew it was going to be grinder and we’re used to playing those kinds of games and finding ways to win.”

As one of the few Class 1A teams in the rough-and-rugged Hiawatha Valley Conference, the Wildcats suffered nine losses. But those defeats prepared them for the postseason.

Goodhue took control with a 15-0 run that spanned 81/2 minutes of the first half, turning a 7-3 deficit into an 18-7 lead. Central Minnesota Christian (27-4) clawed its way back after halftime, cutting the deficit to 39-38 with 1:38 left. But the Bluejays failed to score on their final four possessions.

Center Jacob McNamara led Goodhue (24-9) with 14 points, including an uncharacteristic three three-pointers, and guard Ben Opsahl added 11. Taylor Slagter scored 11 points to lead Central Minnesota Christian, based in Prinsburg.

First report

Goodhue, behind an airtight zone defense and some timely three-point shooting, defeated No. 2-seeded Central Minnesota Christian 41-38 to advance to the Class 1A championship game for the first time in team history. The Wildcats made 6 of 11 three-point attempts in the game.

Jacob McNamara scored 14 points and Ben Opsahl added 11 for the Wildcats (24-9). Central Minnesota Christian (27-4) was led 11 points from Taylor Slagter.

Check back later for more on the game.