Boys Basketball: Reeves scores 27 as Willmar tops Rocori

COLD SPRING -- Brian Reeves netted 27 points, Isaiah Streed handed out 10 assists and Willmar withstood 12 three-pointers from Rocori as the Cardinals sneaked past the Spartans 71-67 Friday in a Central Lakes Conference boys basketball game.

Willmar saw a slim four-point lead expand to 66-51 in the second half before Rocori got within two late. The Spartans had a chance to take the lead, but a three-point shot rimmed out and Willmar collected the defensive rebound. Jordan Smith then made two free throws with four seconds left to cap the scoring.

"We got the ball into Brian and he did a nice job with the inside game," said Willmar coach Steve Grove. "Brian is showing a lot of consistency around the rim recently and he also had five offensive rebounds, creating offense for himself as well."

Willmar (12-5, 16-9) totaled 23 assists as a team en route to shooting 60 percent from the field. Rocori (7-11, 11-14) was 12-for-28 from three-point range.

The Cardinals also got 13 points from Taylor Filipek and 11 more from Smith. Reeves grabbed 11 of the team's 29 rebounds.

Willmar finishes the regular season next Friday when it hosts CLC rival Fergus Falls.

Willmar 71, Rocori 67

Willmar (12-5, 16-9) 33 38 -- 71

Rocori (7-11, 11-14) 29 38 -- 67

WILLMAR - 29-48 FG (3-14 3-pt); 8-12 FT; 29 rebounds; 10 fouls ... Scoring: Alec Saunders 2, James Neis 7, Jordan Smith 11, Isaiah Streed 9, Taylor Filipek 13, Ryan Filipek 2, Brian Reeves 27 ... 3-point shots: Neis 2, Smith 1, T. Filiepk 1 ... Rebound leaders: Reeves 11 ... Assist leaders: Streed 10 ... Steal leaders: Neis 2, T. Filipek 2

ROCORI - 24-47 FG (12-28 3-pt); 7-8 FT; 16 rebounds; 11 fouls ... Scoring: Scott Willenbring 2, Adam Backes 15, Zach Hinkemeyer 3, Brett Eisenschenk 20, Ben Rausch 22, Bryan Lashinski 5 ... 3-point shots: Backus 3, Eisenschenk 6, Hinkemeyer 1, Rausch 1, Lashinski 1 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available