SARTELL -- Willmar outscored Sartell 43-20 in the second half to bounce back from a slow start and had four players score in double figures en route to posting a 64-44 win in the Central Lakes Conference Tuesday.
Sartell (3-8, 4-11) led for entire first half as the Cardinals (9-2, 14-3) couldn't find their shooting touch.
Willmar then took advantage of Sartell's miscues to open the second half to pull ahead and finished shooting a torrid 59 percent from the field (27-of-46).
"It was a tale of two halves," said Willmar coach Steve Grove. "We came out flat and then in the second half the kids turned it up offensively and defensively."
Sartell owned a 24-21 lead at halftime, but the Cardinals then netted 43 points in the final 18 minutes of play to keep pace with conference co-leaders Rocori and St. Cloud Apollo.
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"(Casey) Sussenguth sparked us in the second half and Dunham had a great perimeter game," added Grove.
Dunham drained three 3-pointers en route to finishing with a game-high 17 points for the Cardinals while Sussenguth scored 8 of his 10 points in the second half. Kyle Townswick and Jordan Smith both added 12 points for the Class AAA No. 9-ranked Cardinals, who were only 2-for-3 at the free-throw line.
On Friday Willmar is at St. Cloud Tech in another Central Lakes Conference game.
St. Cloud Apollo travels to Little Falls and Rocori hosts Sauk Rapids.
Willmar 64, Sartell 44
Willmar (9-2, 14-3) 21 43 -- 64
Sartell (3-8, 4-11) 24 20 -- 44
WILLMAR - 27-46 FG (8-15 3-pt); 2-3 FT; 22 rebounds; 9 fouls ... Scoring: Isaiah Streed 2, Kyle Townswick 12, Matt Seehusen 2, Zach Coquyt 3, Mike Dunham 17, Jordan Smith 12, Casey Sussenguth 10, Ryan Hagemeyer 6 ... 3-point shots: Townswick 2, Coquyt 1, Dunham 3, Smith 2 ... Rebound leader: Smith 7 ... Assist leader: Townswick 4 ... Steal leaders: Dunham 2, Sussenguth 2
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SARTELL - 18-49 FG (3-14 3-pt); 5-10 FT; 20 rebounds; 6 fouls ... Scoring: Lucas Inviess 3, Mike Carlson 13, Scott Dybsand 2, Evan Ziegler 13, Shane Neis 2, Sam Jarnot 11 ... 3-point shots: Jarnot 3 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available
