Defending Class 1A champion Minneota’s formula for success in Thursday’s quarterfinal was simple: Feed Taylor Reiss.

Minneota’s all-time leading scorer had 40 points as the Vikings defeated Browerville 77-50 at Mariucci Arena. The 5-foot-10 junior was the tallest and most athletic player on the floor, which allowed her to dominate near the basket.

All of Reiss’ points came on layups or free throws. She shot 16-for-22 from the field and added 11 rebounds and four blocks.

“That was our game plan: knowing that they weren’t very tall, try to get the ball in quickly,” Reiss said.

The plan will likely continue into Friday’s semifinal, in which the top-seeded Vikings (31-1) will play No. 4-seeded Goodhue. Like Browerville, Goodhue has no players who are taller than Reiss.

Reiss was the only Minneota player who scored in double figures Wednesday. She scored the Vikings’ first 13 points, which helped them gain a big lead they never lost. She had as many points at halftime — 22 — as Browerville’s entire team.

The unseeded Tigers (23-6) made several small runs to keep the deficit manageable, two of which came with Reiss on the bench. When Reiss came back in, the momentum shifted.

“You’d like to not have to lean on her,” Minneota coach Chad Johnston said. “You’d like to see a little bit more balance.”

Browerville was making its first state appearance since 2006, struggled early in the game to beat Minneota’s three-quarter-court press. Johnson said the Johnston said was intended to challenge Browerville’s freshmen and sophomores.

Taylor Reiss picked up right where she left off at the state tournament.

Minneota’s all-time leading scorer had 40 points Thursday as the defending champion Vikings defeated Browerville 77-50 in the Class 1A quarterfinals at Mariucci Arena.

The junior scored Minneota’s first 13 points, which helped the Vikings (31-1) gain a big lead they never lost.

Reiss had 30 points and 12 rebounds in last year’s state championship game against Ada-Borup.

Minneota will play the winner of the quarterfinal between Ada-Borup and Goodhue, which is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.

Check back later for more on the game.