Willmar back on track with 76-60 rout of Sartell
WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinal began a five-game push to end the schedule with a 76-60 victory over Sartell.
Willmar has four more Central Lakes Conference games left before the start of the Section 3AA playoffs. Three of those games are at home.
It's an opportunity to regain momentum for the Cardinals after losing three of five games in the first two weeks of February.
The Cardinals improved to 11-3 in the Central Lakes Conference and 15-7 overall.
The Cardinals led the Sabres (2-11, 3-18) by a basket at halftime before turning up the defensive intensity to pull away following intermission.
Willmar's Taylor Filipek led all scorers with 22 points. The 6-5 junior inspired the team and the crowd after hitting four three-pointers in the first half.
Jordan Smith hit three treys and finished with 13 points plus eight rebounds. Isaiah Streed added 11 points, Ryan Filipek nine, Logan Birkland eight and Alec Saunders had nine assists.
The Sabres, losing their fifth straight, go balanced scoring with Andrew Krupke netting 14 and Jordan Gieske, Kyle Mareck and Evan Ziegler 12 apiece.
Willmar hosts Little Falls on Thursday and second-place St. Cloud Apollo on Tuesday before playing at Rocori on Feb. 27.
Willmar 76, Sartell 60
Sartell (2-11, 3-18) 33 27 -- 51
Willmar (11-3, 15-7) 35 41 -- 76
SARTELL - 21-42 FG (5-11 3-pt); 13-19 FT; 22 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Keaton Hauser 4, Andrew Krupke 14, Derek Gaab 2, Jordan Gieske 12, Kyle Mareck 12, Evan Ziegler 12, Brandon Anderson 4 ... 3-point shots: Krupke 2, Mareck 1, Ziegler 2 ... Rebound leaders: not available
WILLMAR - 30-49 FG (9-20 3-pt); 7-16 FT; 27 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Alec Saunders 2, Logan Birkland 8, Jordan Smith 13, Andrew Bangen 3, Isaiah Streed 11, Taylor Filipek 221, Ryan Filipek 9, Brian Reeves 8 ... 3-point shots: Birkland 2, Smith 3, T. Filipek 4 ... Rebound leaders: Smith 8, T. Filipek 4, R. Filipek 7, Reeves 4 ... Assist leaders: Saunders 9, T. Filipek 5, Smith 3... Steal leaders: Smith 3, T. Filipek 3
