WILLMAR -- If anyone believed Willmar would simply pick up where things had left off with another Central Lakes Conference and section contender, Alexandria dispelled that notion Tuesday evening on the Section 8AAA champions' home court, 54-30.
Not withstanding a 48-40 at Bemidji in Saturday's opener, this Willmar team appears to have a long way to go to be contenders again this year.
That's not surprising after losing four-year starter Laura Nielsen at center and two-time all-CLC point guard Andrea Brown among four starters.
Still, few would have expected Willmar's offense to go south so fast.
Perhaps smarting from a 4-14 record last year including 20- and 25-point losses to Willmar, Alexandria knocked their hosts into the ropes in the first half with a dizzying 23-9 start.
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"It's a little different game this year," Willmar head coach Brad Atchison commented. "I don't think our kids were ready for their intensity and toughness in the first half. We just stood around and dug ourselves a big hole."
Angela Christianson, a 5-11 freshman guard, helped bury the Cards' scoring 12 of her game-high 15 points before half.
Alexandria took away the Cardinals' outside shooting with a pressure defense that began after each made basket with a full-court press.
Willmar got off only 40 shots and was 0-for-7 from three-point range.
"You have to credit Alexandria's defense for that," said Atchison. "Our press wasn't so effective as theirs."
Willmar did turn it up in the second half, but never could mount a significant run.
Sophmore Kelsey Evans had two early baskets and five free throws in the second half to lead Willmar with nine points. Lisa Nielsen added six points and seven rebounds.
Brin Hanson and Kjerstin Knutson scored five points each.
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Alexandria 54, Willmar 30
Alexandria (1-0, 1-0) 23 31 -- 54
Willmar (0-1, 1-1) 9 21 -- 30
ALEXANDRIA - 19 FG (1 3 pt); 13-20 FT; 22 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Laura Vanderwerf 1, Kenny Tvrdik 2, Mackenzie West 7, Bria Lanners 5, Sarah Weaver 4, Amanda Otterness 2, Laura Strand 2, Caitlin Dunn 14, Dee Barlage 2, Angela Christiansen 15 ... 3-point shots: Christianson ... Rebound leader: Christianson 5, Strand 4, Lanner 4... Assist leader: West 2 ... Steal leader: Lanners 5 ... Blocked shots: Lanners 2
WILLMAR - 11-40 FG (0-7 3 pt); 8-15 FT; 24 rebounds; 20 fouls ... Scoring: Kelsey Evans 9, Brin Hanson 5, Hannah Okins 2, Kjerstin Knutson 5, Ali Unger 1, Lisa Nielsen 6, Whitney Arends 2... 3-point shots: none... Rebound leader: Evans 7, Goldschmidt 3, Nielsen 7 ... Assist leader: Megan Brown 2 ... Steal leader: Okins 2, Hanson 5, Nielsen 2
