Cardinals off to 3-0 start
WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals are 3-0 after holding off Hutchinson 63-60 on Tuesday night in a battle of Section 2AAA foes.
Willmar led the Tigers 28-22 at halftime and never gave up the lead.
Kelsey Evans led the Cardinals with 19 points and five blocked shots. Hannah Smith scored 13 points and picked off 11 rebounds.
Willmar center Jena Thompson added 14 points working near the iron.
The Tigers got a big game from their 5-11 junior center Angela Tauer who tallied a game-high 31 points.
"It was a hard-fought game," said Willmar coach Brad Atchison. "We battled hard. It's nice to be off to a 3-0 start and looking forward to Brainerd (a road game) on Thursday."
Emily Nelsen tipped a Hutchinson three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Willmar 63, Hutchinson 60
Hutchinson 22 38 -- 60
Willmar 28 35 -- 63
HUTCHINSON - 21-38 FG (5-9 3-pt); 13-21 FT; 22 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Kate Byron 4, Alissa Retterath 4, Michaela Larson 9, Brianne Stamer 4, Olivia Decker 2, Nichole Whittman 6, Angela Tauer 31 ... 3-point shots: Larson 1, Stamar 1, Tauer 3 ... Rebound leaders: not available
WILLMAR - 21-52 FG (6-11 3-pt); 15-23 FT; 27 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Kelsey Evans 19, Mariel Aamot 7, Lesley Christianson 6, Hannah Smith 13, Emily Nelsen 2, Alex Lippert 2, Jena Thompson 14 ... 3-point shots: Evans 1, Aamot 1, Christianson 2, Smith 2... Rebound leaders: Smith 11, Nelson 5, Thompson 5 ... Assist leaders: Evans 4, Smith 4, Thompson 3 ... Steal leaders: Smith 5, Evans 3, Nelson 2 ... Blocked shots: Evans 4