MAZEPPA -- Hayfield knew it was coming, but the Vikings still could not get out of the way.

Zumbrota-Mazeppa's 1-3-1 trapping zone had Hayfield pinned down in a 71-46 Hiawatha Valley League loss for the visiting Vikings Tuesday night. Z-M, formerly a ranked team in Class AA, scored at least 20 points in three of four quarters in cruising to the conference win.

The host Cougars led by as many as 27 -- the 41-14 halftime margin and the 51-24 third-quarter score.

Hayfield (9-7, 6-4) scored the first five points of the second half but never assembled a run of more than three points aside from that stretch. Zumbrota-Mazeppa would not allow it.

The Cougars forced 21 Hayfield turnovers with its active 1-3-1 and 3-2 zones.

"It seemed like about 40," said Hayfield coach Chris Pack. "We knew they were good, but I was at least hoping we would come up here and compete.

"In the first two minutes of the third quarter we looked alright, but that was about it."

The Vikings had as many rebounds (21) as it did turnovers. Z-M easily won the rebounding battle, getting what seemed like every offensive rebound in the opening half.

"This should have been the perfect matchup for us," Pack said. "They don't have a big man, and we don't have a big man."

Hayfield had trouble getting open looks at the basket, and when they did Zumbrota-Mazeppa swarmed them.

"We practiced against (the 1-3-1) yesterday in practice, so we knew it was coming," Coach Pack said. "Every time we'd get a ball rotation and have an open look we'd sit there and wait for the trap to come.

"That first half was embarassing."

Zumbrota-Mazeppa's Tyler McAthie scored 14 points to lead all scorers. Tyler Kramer was Hayfield's only double-digit scorer with 11 points.

The Vikings host Lake City Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Boxscore:

HAYFIELD (46) -- David Johnson 9, Ryan Sowers 2, Brock Greenhagen 2, Tyler Kramer 11, Bryan Oelkers 0, Shawn Colucy 6, Weston Hanson 2, Drew Wanzek 5, Jessie Glahn 2, Bradey Perrigo 3, Andrew Abboud 2, Kyle Kuster 2, Jeremy Ruhter 0.

ZUMBROTA-MAZEPPA (71) -- Ryan Liffrig 5, Matt Thomford 12, Ryan Thomford 4, Ben Sand 3, Joel Varner 3, Sam Boraas 5, Tyler McAthie 14, Josh Hinsch 12, Pete Schliep 2, Andy Meerkins 4, Jake Mathre 3, Zach Holst 2, Neil Wells 2.

Hayfield771022--46

Zumbr-Maz20211020--71

Free-throws--Hayf 6-12; Z-M 6-13.

Three-pointers--Hayf 5 (Johnson, Kramer, Colucy, Wanzek, Perrigo); Z-M 4 (McAthie 2, Hinsch 2).