SAUK RAPIDS -- Willmar outscored Sauk Rapids 26-9 in the last portion of the second half to remain undefeated in Central Lakes Conference boys basketball action with a 68-56 win on Thursday.
Although the Cardinals (9-0, 11-3) shot 53 percent from the field and outrebounded the Storm 26-17, Willmar found itself trailing 47-42 after a technical foul was called just past the midway point of the second half.
Adam Lindblad hit a three-pointer to start Willmar's run. The Cardinals tied the game at 47 with about five minutes left, then took advantage of Sauk Rapids' turnovers while closing out the game with a 21-9 run.
"We were very fortunate to come out of there with a win," said Willmar coach Steve Grove. "The last four or five minutes we played better."
Sauk Rapids (1-9, 5-11) also shot well (21-of-47 for 45 percent), matching the Cardinals with eight 3-pointers.
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"Sauk Rapids just hung around," Grove said. "We were not meeting their intensity."
Jordan Smith and Casey Sussenguth shouldered much of Willmar's scoring load, netting 23 and 20 points, respectively. Smith sank four 3-pointers and Sussenguth grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Cardinals have a full week off, inactive until Feb. 7 when they host Sartell.
Willmar 68, Sauk Rapids 56
Willmar (9-0, 11-3) 31 37 -- 68
Sauk Rapids (1-9, 5-11) 28 28 -- 56
WILLMAR - 24-45 FG (8-16 3-pt); 12-16 FT; 26 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Adam Lindblad 8, Zach Coquyt 1, Jordan Smith 23, Casey Sussenguth 20, Michael Dunham 7, Isaiah Streed 2, Taylor Filipek 2, Ryan DeGree 5 ... 3-point shots: Lindblad 2, Smith 4, Sussenguth 1, Dunham 1 ... Rebound leaders: Sussenguth 10, Smith 5 ... Assist leaders: Smith 4 ... Steal leaders: Smith 2
SAUK RAPIDS - 21-47 FG (8-20 3-pt); 6-6 FT; 17 rebounds; 21 fouls ... Scoring: Shawn McCabe 6, Tyler Stein 9, Cody Meyer 3, Brian Jones 6, Jordan Christianson 11, Eric Johnson 6, Mark Elliott 11, Patrick Piepkorn 4 ... 3-point shots: Stein 3, Meyer 1, Christianson 1, Elliott 3 ... Rebound, assist, steal leaders not available
