Girls basketball: Cards win 3rd straight

WILLMAR — Kalley Fasso’s 17 points paced five Cardinals with at least 8 points as Willmar shot its way past St. Cloud Apollo 72-59 on Friday.
It was the Cards (6-3, 9-6) third straight win, all at home versus Central Lakes Conference foes.
The Cardinals don’t budge this week either but face heavy traffic in their gym: No. 7 (AAA) Mankato East is here Tuesday, Rocori on Thursday and No. 1 (AAA) Fergus Falls on Saturday.
Forward Anne Dunham scored 14 points and nabbed 13 rebounds in Willmar’s 49-36 advantage in boards. Heather Horning put in 12 points, Cournty Magnuson 11 and Jordan Martins 8. Martins, sidelined by mono, returned to the line-up for the first time since before Christmas.
“We took a lot of shots [67] but were well-balanced and they really couldn’t focus on anyone which made it tough to defend,” said coach Dustin Carlson.
“It was nice to have Jordan back for pushing the ball upcourt and the fast break. Kassy Linbo also had a nice game giving us a real spark several times.”
The Eagles made 8 of 19 from the ring, four by Mel Gebhardt who finished with 22 points. Abby Notch added 18 points and Katrina Johnson 13 but the Eagles fell to 3-11 overall.
Willmar 72, St. Cloud Apollo 59
St. Cloud Ap (2-7, 3-11) 26 33 — 59
Willmar (6-3, 9-6) 34 38 — 72
ST. CLOUD APOLLO – 19-58 FG (8-19 3-pt); 13-20 FT; 36 rebounds; 15 fouls … Scoring: Sabrina Babic 2, Katrina Johnson 13, Abby Notch 18, Liz Lowery 4, Mel Gebhardt 22 … 3-point shots: Gebhardt 4, Notch 3, Johnson 1
WILLMAR – 27-67 FG (7-26 3-pt); 11-21 FT; 49 rebounds; 19 fouls … Scoring: Courtney Magnuson 11, Kassy Linbo 4, Jordan Martins 8, Heather Horning 12, Anne Dunham 14, Kalley Fosso 17, Caroline Bell 4, Leah Ruter 2 … 3-point shots: Magnuson 2, Martins 1, Horning 2, Fosso 2 … Rebound leaders: Dunham 13, Horning 7, Fosso 7 … Assist leaders: Magnuson 4, Horning 4 … Steal leaders: Horning 4, Dunham 3