WILLMAR -- Showing an inclination for long-distance shooting, Willmar rolled over its second Central Lakes Conference foe beating Sartell 59-27 on Friday night.
The outcome resembled Tuesday's opener, a 53-28 win at Alexandria -- slow start until defensive pressure built offensive momentum starting midway through the 18-minute first half.
Willmar's deliberate style against the Sartell zone provided frequent chances to practice sharp shooting.
Stuck at 6-4 after seven minutes, center Laura Nielsen (19 points, 10 rebounds) stepped out of the crowd near the iron and gunned in a 15-footer from the left wing. Forward Katie Holmgren mimicked that shot moments later for a 10-4 lead, then Jamie Wilson, off the bench, canned a trey and it was 15-6.
Sartell trailed 22-8 at half, one more point than Alexandria got in the first half against Willmar.
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Shooting forward Brianna Goldschmidt would hit three from long range for eight points and off-guard Brin Hanson hit a trey on the way to seven points. Floor leader Andrea Brown had only a 3-pointer in the scoring column but dished out four assists and made two steals. Hanson also had three steals and three assists.
Holmgren finished with eight points, Lisa Nielsen six and Wilson five. Wilson and Lisa Nielsen each pulled in four rebounds.
Showing no fear to put it up, Willmar was 5 of 19 from 3-point range.
"Shooting is something we've concentrated on with the defenses packing it in around Laura," said Willmar coach Brad Atchison. "Goldschmidt hit a couple which gave us a nice spark.''
Willmar 59, Sartell 27
Sartell (0-1, 0-2) 8 19 -- 27
Willmar (2-0, 2-0) 22 37 -- 59
SARTELL - 12 FG (0-5 3 pt); 3-8 FT; 29 rebounds; 12 fouls .... Scoring: Sarah Schellinger 7, Amber Reinert 2, Courtney Tideman 4, Maggie Bryant 6, Jennifer Volkers 2, Crystal Lade 2, Jenna Perske 2, Angela Ahrendt 2 .... 3-point shots: none .... Rebound leader: not available
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WILLMAR - 22-50 FG (5-19 3 pt); 10-13 FT; 34 rebounds; 16 fouls .... Scoring: Andrea Brown 3, Brin Hanson 7, Shelby Warner 2, Briana Goldschmidt 8, Katie Holmgren 6, Jamie Wilson 5, Lisa Nielsen 6, Courtney Arends 2, Laura Nielsen 19, Whitney Arneds 1 ... 3-point shots: Goldschmidt 2, Brown 1, Hanson 1, Wilson 1 .... Rebound leader: Laura Nielsen 10, Wilson 4, Lisa Nielsen 4 .... Assist leader: Brown 4, Hanson 3 .... Steal leader: Brown 3, Lisa Nielsen 3, Hanson 3 ... Blocked shots: Holmgren 2, Laura Nielsen 3
NEXT -- Willmar: Thursday, home vs. St. Cloud Tech
