Willmar shuts down Tech
ST. CLOUD -- The Willmar girls basketball team hangs its hat on its defense, which was needed as the Cardinals clamped down on St. Cloud Tech in the second half en route to a 60-42 Central Lakes Conference win Friday.
Willmar (4-1, 5-1) held the Tigers (2-3, 2-5) to 19 points in the last 18 minutes of the game.
"Defensively, we went all man-to-man in the second half and shut them down offensively," Willmar coach Brad Atchison said.
The Cardinals also controlled the game with their rebounding, pulling down 41. Jena Thompson grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds and Hannah Smith added 12.
"That's been one of our strengths this year," Atchison said of the rebounding prowess. "We're not that big compared to some other teams, but we're really aggressive on the boards."
Kelsey Evans led the Cardinals on the scoresheet with 16 points, with Smith following with 15 points and Thompson 10.
Willmar is off until the West Central Tribune WildCard tournament, which starts Monday, Dec. 29.
The Cardinals will face Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg in the first round at New London.
Willmar 60, SC Tech 42
Willmar (4-1, 5-1) 27 33 -- 60
SC Tech (2-3, 2-5) 23 19 -- 42
WILLMAR - 22-51 FG (2-6 3-pt); 14-23 FT; 41 rebounds; 20 fouls ... Scoring: Kelsey Evans 16, Mariel Aamot 7, Hannah Smith 15, Hannah Murphy 9, Alex Lippert 3, Jena Thompson 10 ... 3-point shots: Evans 1, Murphy 1 ... Rebound leaders: Thompson 14, Smith 12, Evans 6 ... Assist leaders: Emily Nelsen 3, Murphy 3 ... Steal leaders: Smith 4 ... Blocks: Thompson 2
ST. CLOUD TECH - 16 FG (5 3-pt); 6-15 FT; rebounds not available; 21 fouls ... Scoring: Annessa Rosch 9, Megan Grey 4, Rachael Zwiener 4, Erin Kotzenmacher 3, Bobbie Bohlig 8, Kristin Wurm 1, Hannah Zwiener 11, Katelyn Wendt 3 ... 3-point shots: R.Zwiener 1, Kotzenmacher 1, H.Zwiener 3 ... Rebound, assist, steal leaders not available