BRAINERD -- Brainerd held off a late Willmar comeback attempt and went on to win 60-57 in a key Central Lakes Conference game Tuesday night.
Brainerd (4-0, 4-0) remained unbeaten, whilke Willmar (3-1, 4-2) was handed its first conference loss.
Willmar trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half before surging to close within two. But Brainerd never gave in and thwarted each comeback bid.
"We went to more of a zone press than a man-to-man," said Willmar coach Steve Grove. "We started to get a bunch of turnovers that got us back in the game. But we turned the ball over too many times ourselves."
Willmar (3-1, 4-2) committed 25 turnovers in the game and missed several close-range shots, Grove said.
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Mike Dunham led Willmar with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Kyle Townswick added 13 points and seven asssits and Ryan Hagemeyer had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Willmar shot well for the game, hitting 49 percent of its shots (21-of-43), but cashed only 11-of-21 free throws.
Brainerd (4-0, 4-0) also shot 49 percent (19-of-39). The Warriors were led by Landon Stansfield, a senior post, with 23 points. Kyle Crocker chipped in 11 points.
Brainerd 60, Willmar 57
Willmar (3-1, 4-2) -- 57
Brainerd (4-0, 4-0) -- 60
WILLMAR - 21-43 FG (5 3-pt); 11-21 FT; 32 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Kyle Townswick 13, Matt Seehusen 2, Jared Hennen 2, Cory Hanson 4, Mike Dunham 15, Casey Sussenguth 8, Ryan Hagemeyer 11, Thomas Boike 2 ... 3-point shots: Townswick 2, Dunham 3 ... Rebound leaders: Hagemeyer 11, Hennen 6 ... Assist leaders: Townswick 7 ... Steal leaders: none
BRAINERD - 19-39 FG (8 3-pt); 14-22 FT; 20 rebounds; 19 fouls ... Scoring: Kyle Crocker 11, Brett Cloutier 7, Jay Magstadt 10, Kramer 3, Mitch Means 4, Landon Stanfield 23 ... 3-point shots: Crocker 3, Magstad 1, Kramer 1, Stanfield 3 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available
