WILLMAR -- After overpowering two outmanned opponents to start the season, it seems clear that the Willmar boys basketball team has a formidable inside-outside game.
The Cardinals jumped in front of Sauk Rapids 10-0 and went on to quell the Storm 81-64 in the Central Lakes Conference opener. The win followed an 87-45 win over New Ulm on Tuesday.
This is also a Willmar team that likely won't be outworked since there's good depth. In the first two games, it also showed steady ball-handling -- for the most part -- and the ability to make the flashy pass.
Casey Sussenguth, a lanky 6-5 senior, struck for 25 points around the iron, including 7-of-8 made at the free-throw line. Jordan Smith finished with 24 points, sinking four 3-pointers.
Michael Dunham hit for 13 points. He made two treys. Isaiah Streed got 10 points off the bench.
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Ryan DeGree, a starting forward, finished with six.
Willmar led 21-4 in the first six minutes. Smith sank a 3-pointer from the wing at the first-half horn for a 44-27 lead.
Sauk Rapids, which lost its opener to Princeton 70-56, showed a lot of fight. The Storm should be greatly improved from last year's 1-23 record.
At one point, the Storm cut the Willmar lead to seven points, 49-42 with 12:50 left in the game, but Smith and Dunham hit back-to-back 3s launching a 9-0 run.
Smith and Sussenguth combined 24 rebounds and seven blocked shots.
Jordan Christianson led the Storm with 16 points, followed closely by Sean McCabe with 15 and Tyler Stein with 14 (four 3s)..
Willmar can anticipate a more severe test next week with back-to-back road games against Central Lakes Conference foes Sartell on Tuesday and Brainerd on Friday.
Willmar 81, Sauk Rapids 64
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Sauk Rapids (0-1, 0-2) 27 37 -- 64
Willmar (1-0, 2-0) 44 37 -- 81
SAUK RAPIDS - 26-56 FG (6-16 3-pt); 6-13 FT; 26 rebounds; 30 fouls ... Scoring: Sean McCabe 15, Tyler Stein 14, zach Leyk 4, Jordan Christianson 16, Erick Johnson 6, Matt Elliot 2, Pat Piepkorn 1, Jesse Janson 4 ... 3-point shots: Tyler Stein 4, McCabe 1, Christianson 1 ... Rebound leaders: not available
WILLMAR - 30-52 FG (6-16 3-pt); 15-25 FT; 38 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Isaiah Streed 10, Ryan DeGree 6, Taylor Filipek 3, Michael Dunham 13, Jordan Smith 24, Casey Sussenguth 25 ... 3-point shots: Smith 4, Dunham 2 ... Rebound leaders: Degree 3, Dunham 3, Sussenguth 14, Smith 10, Adam Lindblad 3 ... Assist leaders: Dunham 7, Alec Saunders 3, Lindblad 4, Smith 3 ... Steal leaders: Dunham 2 .... Blocked shots; Dunham 2, Smith 3 Sussenguth 4
