WILLMAR -- After two weeks of hard-fought games and a 1-3 ledger, Willmar got a break in the schedule and rolled over Sauk Rapids 76-59 Friday.
It was Willmar's first win since Jan. 7 when they held off the Moorhead Spuds on the road 70-65.
Eleven players scored for Willmar against the Storm. Kyle Townswick had 24 points, Ryan Hagemeyer 18, Cory Hanson 10, Luke Buer seven and Tyler Horning six.
The Cardinals took command from the start against a team without a Central Lakes Conference win.
Ross Van Hauen was the eighth Cardinal to score in the first half when his basket made it 30-13. By halftime it was 36-13 with Hagemeyer logging 10 and Hanson eight.
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Shortly into the second half the lead expanded to 28 points, 43-15. Here the coaches reached deeper down the bench to bring in junior varsity starters, like Jarod Hennen and Casey Sussenguth.
The visitors scored 46 points in the second half. Isaac Leyk finished with 11 points and reserve Matt Elliot 10.
The Storm, whose tallest starters are 6-foot-3, has had trouble scoring. The only time they broke 60 points was in their only win, 69-63 in overtime Dec. 28 against St. Cloud Cathedral.
Willmar (5-4, 8-6), which ends a three-game losing streak (St. Cloud Apollo, Edina, Rocori), plays Thursday at Alexandria with the chance to avenge a two-point loss that opened the season Dec. 6.
Willmar continues without 6-2 junior wing Matt Seehussen, who has a foot bone bruise and may be out two more week.
Willmar 76, Sauk Rapids 59
Sauk Rapids (0-8, 1-12) 13 46 -- 59
Willmar (5-4, 8-6) 36 40 -- 76
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SAUK RAPIDS - 25-57 FG (2-7 3 pt); 7-11 FT; 26 rebounds; 24 fouls ... Scoring: Isaac Leyk 11, Matt Gibbison 7, Brandon Friedrich 2, Nate Anderson 8, Eriic Carstensen 9, Jordan Christiasnon 2, Matt Elliot 10, Aaron Haakonson 7, Jake Haus 3... 3-point shots: Leyk, Carstensen
WILLMAR - 23-54 FG (2 3 pt); 24-32 FT; 34 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Ryan DeGree 2, Casey Sussenguth 2, Kent Underland 1, Ross Van Hauen 2, Matt Roisum 2, Michael Dunham 2, Tyler Horning 6, Luke Buer 7, Corey Hanson 10, Ryan Hagemeyer 18, Kyle Townswick 24 ... 3-point shots: Townswick 2 ... Rebound leader: Townswick 4, Hanson 6, Horning 3, Dunham 5, Roisum 2, Sussenguth 2, Hagemeyer 8, Buer 3 ... Assist leader: Townswick 4, Hnason 2, Horning 3, Dunham 3, Roisum 2 ... Steal leader: Townswick 2 .. Blocks: Horning 2
