Boys basketball: Cardinals ignite offense in 2nd half

WILLMAR — A second-half explosion let the Willmar Cardinals separate from Fergus Falls for a 62-45 victory in Central Lakes boys basketball on Tuesday.
Willmar went on a 17-0 run in the second half to seize control. Joe Leuze drove for a bucket, Kyler Johnson hit a couple of threes, Cody Magnuson another while Sean Zuidema and Austin Rambow sank free throws.
A six-point burst by Magnuson capped the breakaway. The senior guard ended up with 11 points and a team best 5 rebounds.
It was 19-all at halftime.
Willmar was on target hitting 8 of 20 from the arc (40 percent) and 20 of 24 at the stripe (83 percent).
The first-half was especially physical with neither team able to get in a flow.
Johnson finished with 19 points and Rambow 17.
Austin Rund hit a trio of treys for 15 points to lead the Spartans.
Willmar sweeps the series winning 52-51 in Fergus on Dec. 20.
This Friday is Meet the Cardinals Night with Sauk Rapids the guest.
Willmar 62, Fer. Falls 45
Fergus Falls (5-4, 10-7) 19 26 — 45
Willmar (5-6 10-9) 19 43 — 62
FERGUS FALLS – 16-54 FG (5-23 3-pt); 8-12 FT; 34 rebounds; 19 fouls … Scoring: Brady Hansen 2, Mike Millard 12, Drew Pearson 5, Jackson McAllister 6, Austin Rund 15, Joe Gaworski 2… 3-point shots: Rund 3, Pearson, McAllister
WILLMAR – 17-52 FG (8-20 3-pt); 20-24 FT; 21 rebounds; 15 fouls … Scoring: Joe Leuze 6, Sean Zuidema 5, Dylan Schueler 2, Cody Magnuson 11, Kyler Johnson 19, AustinRambow 17, Alex Grove 2 … 3-point shots: Magnuson 3, Johnson 4, Rambow 1 … Rebound leaders: Magnuson 5, Rambow 5, Grove 3 … Assist leaders: Leuze 4, Zuidema 2 … Steal leaders: Leuze 2 … Blocked shots: Johnson 2