AUSTIN — While most of Hayfield’s offense came from two players, it was the plays made by some other players that helped put the Vikings over the top in a 45-37 win over Kenyon/Wanamingo in the second round of the 2AA Sub-section 2AA East playoffs in Packer Gym Friday.

After a sluggish first half, the No. 2 seeded Vikings (21-6 overall) found themselves trailing 28-25 with 10:32 left in the game. Hayfield responded strong with a 14-0 run over the next seven minutes that saw Beth Felten hit a fade-away jumper off an offensive rebound to make it 31-28 and Molly Streightiff hit a jumper to make it 37-28.

“I was trying to get more (shots) in the second half and they weren’t working and we were trying to get Kiley (Severson) some looks and they were collapsing on her,” Hayfield guard Jordyn Krekling said. “Then we had some other people knock down some huge shots.”

Renee Stier kept the Vikings in the game as she converted a three-point play and a hit a three-pointer to stall the Knights (17-8 overall) while Severson was on the bench with foul trouble.

But even after Stier stepped up, K/W’s Shelby Auseth converted a steal into a lay-up to make it 28-25 Knights.

“I didn’t know (what to think) at that point,” Fred Kindschy said. “We were kind of playing in a big funk and it was kind of that time where we either fold the tent or someone steps up. Kiley stepped up really nice offensively, she got the ball and was not gonna be denied.”

Severson dominated inside as she finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two assists. The 6-foot, 1-inch junior center combined with Krekling to score all 17 of the Vikings’ points in the first half and the two finished with 28 of Hayfield’s 45 points.

“Our offense wasn’t really doing so hot,” Severson said. “The first half was pretty flustered but we pulled it together and our defense pulled through for us.”

While the Vikings led throughout most of the first half, it was clear that things wouldn’t be easy as the Vikings struggled to find open looks.

“They knew how to cover everything so it was hard to make passes,” Krekling said. “I felt like they knew what our play was gonna be before we even ran it. They were always there. We finally got a few open shots that went down.”

Once Stier and the other Vikings spread out the K/W defense, Krekling and Severson were able to find some breathing room as Severson had four points during the 14-point run and dished out an assist to set up Krekling for a jumper that made it 35-28.

“I always know where (Jordyn) is. We kind of have our own thing,” said Severson, who has played with Krekling since fourth grade.

The Vikings will play No. 1 New Richland/H/E/G (25-1 overall) at Minnesota State in Mankato Monday at 8 p.m. The Panthers beat Hayfield 46-42 in overtime Jan. 10 when Severson was out of the lineup.

“Alyssa Hagen and Alyssa Kerkhoff are tough, but we’ve got two tough players for them to matchup with two. It’ll all come down to the team that executes better,” Kindschy said.

K/W 16 21 — 37

Hayfield 17 28 — 45

Hayfield scoring: Kiley Severson, 15; Jordyn Krekling, 13; Beth Felten, 6; Renee Stier, 6; Alyssa Selk, 3; Molly Streightiff, 2; free throws: 58 percent (11-for-19); rebounds: 23 (Severson, 7; Krekling, 7); turnovers: 14

K/W scoring: Whitney, 14; Shelby Auseth, 10; Nicky Lubahn, 4; Marissa Lunken, 2; Tamsen, 2; Kate Froyum, 2; Johanna Whipple, 1; free throws: 38 percent (3-for-8); rebounds: 19; turnovers: 22