SARTELL -- Lisa Nielsen scored a career-high 17 points and collected six steals Friday to help Willmar clip Sartell 48-44 in the Central Lakes Conference.
It was Willmar's first game since losing 54-30 to Alexandria in its home opener Tuesday. After shooting only 28 percent against Alex-andria, the Cardinals shot at a 44-percent (19-for-43) clip Friday.
"The kids played well," said Willmar coach Brad Atchison. "It was a nice bounce back after a tough loss to Alexandria."
Nielsen might have put more points on the scoreboard for Willmar, but the senior center picked up her fourth foul early in the second half.
"She was dominating at both ends of the floor before coming out," said Atchison. "But (Kjersten) Knutson made some big baskets and (Whitney) Arends came in and played solid, especially on defense."
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Knutson finished with seven points, as did Brin Hanson, Kelsey Evans grabbed a team-high six rebounds and Megan Brown handed out five assists for Willmar, which is off until Thursday when it travels to St. Cloud to face Tech.
Willmar 48, Sartell 44
Willmar (1-1, 2-1) 26 22 -- 48
Sartell (0-1, 1-1) 22 22 -- 44
WILLMAR - 19-43 FG (2-11 3 pt); 8-17 FT; 26 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Megan Brown 3, Kelsey Evans 5, Brin Hanson 7, Hannah Okins 2, Briana Goldschmidt 5, Kjerstin Knutson 7, Lisa Nielsen 17, Whitney Arends 2 ... 3-point shots: Goldschmidt 1, Knutson 1 ... Rebound leaders: Evans 6, Hanson 5 ... Assist leader: Brown 5 ... Steal leader: Nielsen 6
SARTELL - 20-43 FG (3-7 3 pt); 3-9 FT; 19 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Sarah Schellinger 9, Casey Yuran 4, Amber Reinert 5, Courtney Tideman 6, Magie Bryant 10, Rachel Wieme 8, Jenna Tersae 2 ... 3-point shots: Schellinger 1, Reinert 1, Tideman 1 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available
