ST. CLOUD -- The Willmar Cardinals, behind 24 points from Kyle Townswick, fended off the St. Cloud Tech for the second time this season.
Neither win has come easily, including Friday night's 61-56 at the Tigers' gymnasium.
On Dec. 5 at Willmar, the Cardinals scrambled for a two-point win, 41-39.
This game featured 19 three-pointers, 10 by Willmar and six from Townswick.
"Kyle hit three in a row late in the game and the last one put us into the lead for good 53-51 with a couple of minutes left," said Willmar head coach Steve Grove.
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Tech's answer was 6-1 sophomore Nate Wolters, who also cashed six 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 32 points.
"He can shoot," said Grove. "And he likes to drives, too."
Ryan Hagemeyer added 10 points, Casey Sussenguth eight and Cory Hanson seven.
Tom Boike provided a spark off the bench with his all-out play, said Grove.
"It's hard to ignore when a 6-foot-7 guy is diving on the floor for loose balls," said Grove.
Boike supplied four rebounds and three blocked shots.
Hagemeyer and Michael Dunham, who also dished out five assists, each hit a pair of treys for Willmar.
Willmar (15-3), which stayed within a game of first place, couldn't find a groove in the first half and trailed 28-24 at the break.
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"That's been a trait lately," said Grove. "We've still got work to do."
Willmar 61, SC Tech 56
Willmar (10-2, 15-3) 24 37 -- 61
SC Tech (5-7, 8-10) 28 28 -- 56
WILLMAR - 20-48 FG (10-12 3-pt); 10-12 FT; 25 rebounds; 13 fouls ... Scoring: Kyle Townswick 24, Cory Hanson 7, Michael Dunham 6, Jordan Smith 4, Casey Sussenguth 8, Ryan Hagemeyer 10, Thomas Boike 2 ... 3-point shots: Townswick 6, Hanson 1, Dunham 2, Hagemeyer 2 ... Rebound leaders: Boike 4, Hagemeyer 4, Matt Seehusen 4, Smith 4... Assist leaders: Dunham 5 ... Steal leaders: Hanson 2 ... Blocks: Boike 3
ST. CLOUD TECH - 20-38 FG (9-14 3-pt); 7-13 FT; 23 rebounds; 9 fouls ... Scoring: Nate Wolters 32, Tye Dill 5, Nate Laudenbach 7, Collin Stinogel 6, Ross Baker 3, Nick Jordan 3 ... 3-point shots: Wolters 6, Dill 1, Laudenbach 1, Jordan 1 ... Rebound leaders: not availalbe
