The Redfield Pheasants built an early lead, struggled to make shots for a spell, and then pulled away for a 54-28 non-conference girls’ basketball win over Aberdeen Christian at the Cavalier Classic on Saturday afternoon at Roncalli Gym.

“We were trying to get prepared for this game,” said Aberdeen Christian coach Cristian Martinez. “We just tried to focus, but of course, they came in stronger than us. They deserve it, they played great.”

Redfield coach Tommy Gregg was pleased with how his team finished off a busy week.

“This whole week we played three games in five days, six days, so not getting a lot of prep for anybody and we’re 2-1 (on the week),” Gregg said. “Today wasn’t overly pretty; I think probably some tired legs, but we’re coming.”

Redfield jumped out to an early lead, while limiting the Knights’ scoring opportunities. The Pheasants held a 10-point advantage after the first quarter, but struggled to put points on the board in the second quarter, scoring just 10 points in the second frame.

“I think we were just figuring it out right away,” Redfield senior Katie Rozell said. “Just learning to move with each other and figuring out how to score.”

Meanwhile, Aberdeen Christian also struggled to put the ball into the basket in the second quarter, finishing with just one basket from the field in the period.

“We just weren’t shooting as much as we should’ve been,” Aberdeen Christian freshman Jolie Fogarty said.

Redfield went into the half with a comfortable 27-10 lead, and Martinez said the deficit was too much for his team to overcome.

“We ended up 17 down, and in some other games you can manage 17 points and we’re still in shape, but we gave too many baskets to them,” Martinez said.

The Knights began the second half on a 6-0 run, while Redfield continued to look for consistency on the offensive end. That’s when Gregg called a timeout to rally his team.

“We’ve really (over) the years taken pride in (winning) the two minutes to end a half and then to start a half, and this group’s learning that,” Gregg said. “It’s something we’ve got to work on. I think it’s mentality in the locker room and some of those kids just learning a little more mental focus of what it takes.”

After the timeout, the Pheasants took control and held the momentum through the rest of the contest. Rozell said it took a team effort to pull away in the second half.

“I think we just realized that we could do it, and we just have to go put more hustle and effort into it and get every ball,” Rozell said.

Fogarty and Chloe Bosma each finished with nine points to lead Christian, with Fogarty drilling three 3-pointers, all in the second half.

“They were towards the end,” Fogarty said of her 3-pointers. “I just felt like there wasn’t much pressure because we were down by like 20, so I just decided to put those shots up.”

Rozell, who finished with a game-high 20 points, said it meant a lot to play in the Cavalier Classic with her teammates.

“It’s a good time to play with my team,” Rozell said. “It’s another day of the week that we get to play together.”

Redfield (2-2) will host Sisseton on Tuesday. Gregg said the message for his team will stay the same moving forward.

“We still want to get better every day,” Gregg said. “I think practice is our biggest friend right now, and continue to develop some team chemistry with the five that we have on the floor at that time. We do need to get better defensively a little bit, more physical, and I think that’ll come the more kids get comfortable on the floor. And then finding easier ways to score and getting others involved.”

Aberdeen Christian (0-3) will travel to Mobridge-Pollock on Tuesday. Martinez said the team will continue to work to improve.

“We’re going to still work and we don’t stop,” Martinez said. “It’s very early, and we’re still talking about keeping the communication, keep practicing and trying to get better and go through the fundamentals.”

REDFIELD (2-2): Katie Rozell 7 6-9 20, Chloe Zens 3 2-2 9, Jadit Puok 2 0-0 4, Brynn Giblin 1 0-0 2, Charli Jungwirth 6 1-4 13, Kinley Smith 1 2-3 4, Carmen Herrera 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 11-18 54.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (0-3): Bailey Hunstad 2 1-2 5, Jolie Fogarty 3 0-0 9, Chloe Holt 1 1-2 3, Chloe Bosma 4 1-5 9, Payton Skarin 1 0-0 2. Totals 11 3-9 28.

Redfield 17 27 37 54

Aberdeen Christian 7 10 20 28

3-point field goals – Zens; Fogarty (3). Total fouls – Redfield 13; Aberdeen Christian 15. Rebounds – Redfield 29 (Rozell 10); Aberdeen Christian 19 (Bosma 7).