Willmar tumbles New Ulm
NEW ULM -- Willmar shot 57 percent from the floor to knock off New Ulm 78-61 on Tuesday in a non-conference boys basketball game.
Junior point guard Taylor Filipek pumped in 19 points to lead five Cardinals hitting in double figures.
Despite that Willmar coach Steve Grove said the team is still struggling to find a rhythm in the half court.
"We ended up doing a lot of fast breaking and giving them some easy baskets," said Grove. "We played somewhat better in the half court in the second half."
Willmar led 47-35 after a fast-paced first half.
Isaiah Streed added 13 points, Jordan Smith 12 points plus 10 rebounds, Brian Reeves 11 points and Alex Saunders 10 points and six rebounds.
Zach Quiring got 19 points for the Eagles, who will get another shot at the Cardinals in the first round of the Bremer Bank/West Central Tribune Classic on Dec. 26. New London-Spicer and Benson meet in the other semifinal game.
Willmar (2-2) makes its home debut on Thursday against Brainerd in a Central Lakes Conference game.
Willmar 78, New Ulm 61
Willmar (2-2) 47 31 -- 78
New Ulm (0-2) 35 26 -- 61
WILLMAR - 31-54 FG (2-12 3-pt); 14-21 FT; 34 rebounds; 13 fouls ... Scoring: Alec Saunders 10, Logan Birkland 7, Jim Neis 4, Jordan Smith 12, Isaiah Streed 13, Taylor Filipek 19, Ryan Filipek 2, Brian Reeves 11 ... 3-point shots: Birkland 1, T. Filipek 1 ... Rebound leaders: Smith 10, T. Filipek 6, Saunders 6 ... Assist leaders: Neis 4 ... Steal leaders: Smith 2, Filipek 2 ... Blocked shots: Smith 4
NEW ULM - 25-54 FG (6-18 3-pt); 7-9 FT; 17 rebounds; 21 fouls ... Scoring: Elliott Becker 3, Justin Brethorst 7, Dustin Rheinhart 10, Brett Gieske 3, Eric Curry 2, Taylor Drahota 5, Zach Quiring 19, Jordan Stark 2, Kevin Clancy 10 ... 3-point shots: Becker 1, Brethorst 1, Gieske 1, Quiring 3 ... Rebound leaders: not available