WILLMAR -- Laura Nielsen was told during her freshman year that she would break the school's all-time scoring record. Four years later, the prognostication was right on the mark.
Needing 16 points to tie the record entering Friday's game against Sauk Rapids, Nielsen erupted for 28 points to help Willmar post a 60-27 win in its Central Lakes Conference and regular-season finale, extending its winning streak to 12.
The Cardinals (16-2, 20-4) had a chance to claim a piece of the CLC title, but St. Cloud Tech (17-1, 23-2) upended Sartell, 54-28, Friday to win the crown outright.
Nielsen broke Lori (Roufs) Hanson's record when she converted an offense rebound into a layup with 4:52 remaining in the first half.
Roufs-Hanson, a 1992 graduate, ended her career with 1,545 points. Nielsen's 20 points at halftime helped her raise her career total to 1,557 points. The senior center is also six rebounds shy of 1,000 for her career after she pulled down 14 against the Storm (4-14, 7-17).
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"The girls wanted to call all of the plays for Laura before the game started," said Willmar coach Brad Atchison. "The kids sensed the record and wanted to give her the milestone."
Roufs-Hanson attended the game and congratulated Nielsen after she broke the record.
"It was hard not to think about (the record) when they keep giving you the ball," said Nielsen. "I thought it would be cool when the coaches told me I would set the record, but it was something far away at the time."
After Sauk Rapids closed within five nearly midway throught the first half, the Cardinals closed out the half on a 17-5 run to take a 32-15 lead into halftime.
Willmar then limited the Storm to just three second-half field goals -- all of which came in the first 2:33.
"We usually grab bigger leads in the second half, but w've been putting together two good halves lately," said Nielsen.
Sophomore guard Briana Goldschmidt drained three 3-pointers to finish with nine points for Willmar.
Willmar 60, Sauk Rapids 27
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Sauk Rapids (4-14, 7-17) 15 12 -- 27
Willmar (16-2, 20-4) 32 28 -- 60
SAUK RAPIDS - 7-48 FG (2-10 3 pt); 11-23 FT; 24 rebounds; 12 fouls ... Scoring: Megan Swecker 11, Amy Warzecha 5, Jessie Warzecha 8, Katie Christian 3 ... 3-point shots: Swecker 1, A. Warzecha 1 ... Rebound leaders: J. Warzecha 8, Swecker 4 ... Assist leader: none ... Steal leader: Laura Jacobson 3
WILLMAR - 24-60 FG (5-17 3 pt); 7-9 FT; 45 rebounds; 22 fouls ... Scoring: Megan Brown 3, Dana Guetter 4, Andrea Brown 4, Shelby Warner 5, Briana Goldschmidt 9, Katie Holmgren 3, Lisa Nielsen 4, Laura Nielsen 28 ... 3-point shots: Goldschmidt 3, M. Brown 1, Warner 1 ... Rebound leaders: Laura Nielsen 14, Holmgren 6, Lisa Nielsen 6 ... Assist leaders: Holmgren 5, Warner 4 ... Steal leader: Guetter 5 ... Blocks: Laura Nielsen 2, Lisa Nielsen 2
