SAUK RAPIDS -- Kyle Townswick scored 21 points to move within 13 points of 1,000 and help the Willmar Cardinals drill Sauk Rapids 85-51 on Friday.
At St. Cloud Apollo, the Eagles handed the Rocori Spartans their first loss in Central Lakes Conference action, 69-63.
That was just the kind of help Willmar was looking for after losing in overtime to the Spartans on Tuesday in Cold Spring. It means the Eagles and Rocori are both 8-1 and Willmar a game back at 7-2 with Brainerd.
Townswick got 19 of his points in the first half. Midway through the half, the 5-7 senior guard pumped in five 3-pointers in six attempts.
Also in double figures for Willmar were Cory Hanson and Jordan Smith, each with 11.
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Starting center Ryan Hagemeyer sat out the game with a sore shoulder.
"We learned that Apollo had won right after the game," said coach Steve Grove. "We needed some help; now we've just got to take care of our business."
Willmar, at home on Thursday against Alexandria, shot 62 percent from the field (34 of 55) and made 10 of 21 three-pointers.
Willmar (12-3) has now won seven straight against the Storm (1-13).
Twelve players scored for Sauk Rapids with Eric Carstensen the leader at 10.
Willmar 85, Sauk Rapids 51
Willmar (7-2, 12-3)...............40 45 -- 85
Sauk Rapids (1-8, 1-13)......27 24 -- 51
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WILLMAR - 34-55 FG (10-21 3-pt); 7-12 FT; 27 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Kyle Townswick 21, Cory Hanson 11, Matt Seehussen 7, Casey Sussenguth 8, Isaiah Streed 7, Tom Boike 6, Adam Lindblad 3, Michael Dunham 3, Ryan DeGree 2, Alec Saunders 2, Zach Coquyt 2, Ben Lippert 2, Jordan Smith 11 ... 3-point shots: Townswick 5, Seehusen 1, Smith 1, Dunham 1, Lindblad 1 ... Rebound leaders: Sussenguth 6, Smith 4 ... Assist leaders: Dunham 4 ... Steal leaders: Hanson 4 ... Blocks: Seehusen 2
SAUK RAPIDS - 17-41 FG (0 3-pt); 17-21 FT; 21 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Eric Carstensen 10, Nate Frieler 3, Ryan Benoit 3, Chris Witchteman 6, J.R. Barthel 4, Jordan Christianson 6, Aaron Haakonson 5, Matt Elliot 4, Eric Johnson 2, Adam Canfield 33, Cody Meyer 2, Sean McCabe 4 ... 3-point shots: none ... Rebound leaders: not available.
