LITCHFIELD -- After shooting over 50 percent from the field and owning a 2-to-1 advantage in rebounding, Litchfield trounced previously unbeaten No. 7 (Class AAA) Willmar 67-53 Tuesday in a non-conference game.
The Cardinals (3-1) came in averaging 76 points a game and had made 21 three-pointers in their first three games. But against the Dragons (1-1) Willmar was only 3-for-23 from beyond the arc and its leading scorer, senior guard Kyle Townswick, finished with just three points, 13 below his season average.
Litchfield, however, made 7 of 17 three-point shots and was 26-for-49 overall from the field.
"The difference in the game was our rebounding and their poor shooting," said Litchfield coach John Carlson.
Mike Bruesewitz was a key figure in Litchfield hooking 40 rebounds as the sophomore grabbed a game-high 14 boards to go along with his 13 points, seven assists and three steals.
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Peter Zender paced the Dragons with 15 points. Calvin Pehle added 12 and Mike Bredeson 10.
Casey Sussenguth had 14 points and five rebounds while Ryan Hagemeyer followed with 13 points to lead the way for the Cardinals, who host Central Lakes Conference rival St. Cloud Tech on Thursday.
Litchfield lost 54-49 to New London-Spicer in its opener last Friday.
Litchfield 67, Willmar 53
Willmar (3-1) 28 25 -- 53
Litchfield (1-1) 34 33 -- 67
WILLMAR - 22-60 FG (3-23 3 pt); 6-9 FT; 20 rebounds; 17 fouls ... Scoring: Kyle Townswick 3, Matt Seehusen 8, Cory Hanson 5, Michael Dunham 6, Casey Sussenguth 14, Ryan Hagemeyer 13, Thomas Boike 4 ... 3-point shots: Townswick 1, Hanson 1, Dunham 1 ... Rebound leaders: Seehusen 6, Sussenguth 5 ... Assist leader: Dunham 3 ... Steal leaders: Seehusen 3, Hanson 3
LITCHFIELD - 26-49 FG (7-17 3 pt); 8-17 FT; 40 rebounds; 11 fouls ... Scoring: Kent Johnson 8, Peter Zender 15, Steve Hendrickson 3, Mike Bruesewitz 13, Calvin Pehle 12, Mike Bredeson 10, Tyler Puckett 6 ... 3-point shots: Johnson 1, Zender 2, Hendrickson 1, Bruesewitz 1, Pehle 2 ... Rebound leaders: Bruesewitz 14, Bredeson 8, Zender 7 ... Assist leaders: Bruesewitz 7 ... Steal leaders: Bruesewitz 3
