Michael Schaefer and Mitchell Plombon took turns helping St. Cloud Cathedral overcome New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 70-59 in overtime Wednesday at Williams Arena.

The pair of 6-6 juniors scored 38 of the Crusaders’ 43 points in the second half and overtime as they combined for 58 points and 22 rebounds.

Schaefer finished with 33 points and 15 rebounds, while Plombon had 25 points and 7 rebounds.

“I can’t say enough about those two guys,” Crusaders coach Matt Meyer said. “They took over. We got an outstanding effort against a very good team.”

The Crusaders (27-4), who led by five points at halftime, opened a 10-point lead in the first five minutes of the second half. But the Panthers (28-3) battled back and managed to take a one-point lead with 6:31 left.

The Crusaders made three free throws in the final 18 seconds of regulation to take a 54-51 lead, but Benji Lundberg’s three-point at the buzzer tied the score and forced overtime.

Schaefer and Plombon combined for 12 of the Crusaders’ 16 points in the extra session.

Lundberg scored 18 points, Oakley Baker scored 16 and Tyler Raimann had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Panthers.

JOEL RIPPEL