The importance of size and experience, particularly in a state tournament setting, can rarely be overestimated, as Eastview showed in its easier-than-expected 52-35 victory over Lakeville North.

The Lightning, state champions in 2014 and runners-up last year, weren’t fazed by Target Center’s big floor or cavernous expanses on Tuesday. They made 17of 35 field goal attempts – 9 of 11 in the second half – and 14 of 15 from the free-throw-line to defeat their South Suburban rivals for the third time this season.

“As anybody who knows sports knows, beating a team three times in a season is really, really hard,” said Molly Kasper, Eastview’s first-year coach. “We’ve played three teams in a row we’ve had to beat three times.” The Lightning defeated Rosemount and Apple Valley in the section playoffs.

The Lightning relied on suffocating defense and the 1-2 punch of Megan Walstad and Rachel Ranke to take a 25-13 halftime lead. Walstad and Ranke combined to score all but two Eastview’s first-half points.

“Target Center is tough to adjust to,” Lakeville North coach Shelly Clemons said. “We prepared for it, but my kids just kind of froze. They’re kids and you have to remember that.”

Lakeville North (24-6) cut the lead to five, 25-20, to start the second half, but Eastview (25-4) quickly shut down that run and the Panthers never threatened after that. Walstad, a 6-2 sophomore forward finished with 18 points and Ranke, a 6-1 junior guard, finished with 16.

“I like to look for mismatches,” Kasper said. “Megan is a great mismatch because of her size and ability to shoot. And Rachel is a mismatch because she’s so versatile. If something is working, I have no problems continuing to use it until someone stops it.”

First report

Not even a state tournament atmosphere made a difference for Lakeville North. The Panthers lost to South Suburban conferenced rival Eastview 52-35 in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Wednesday, the ninth consecutive time the Lightning has defeated the Panthers dating back to 2012.

Megan Walstad scored 17 points and Rachel Ranke had 16 for Eastview (26-4), which moves on to play Hopkins in the semifinals Thursday at 6 p.m. in a rematch of the 2015 championship game.

Check back later for more on the game.