WILLMAR -- Shooting 50 percent from the floor and posting a better than two-to-one advantage in rebounds, the Willmar Cardinals dispatched the Fergus Falls Otters in workmanlike fashion 57-36 Tuesday night in Central Lakes Conference boys basketball.
"We didn't play a good first half but it wasn't for lack of effort, it's just that the shots weren't falling," said coach Steve Grove of the Cardinals' 22-16 halftime lead. "The second half we went to a zone and offensively we played a little better."
Fergus Falls, three seasons out from winning the Section 8AA championship, fell to 1-18.
Willmar had little trouble going inside against the shorter Otters. Junior center Casey Sussenguth led with 11 points and forward Matt Seehusen got nine points and post Tom Boike eight. Guards Kyle Townswick and Michael Dunham helped set the table for others, finishing with a combined nine assists.
Willmar faces an important CLC and Section 8AAA-South game Friday at Little Falls (The Cardinals are 1-2 against South foes and need to improve that record to get a home game).
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The Otters, who were outrebounded 29-13, were led in the scoring column by Alex Nelson with 11 points.
Willmar 57, Fergus Falls 36
Fergus Falls (1-13, 1-18) 16 20 -- 36
Willmar (11-2, 17-3) 22 35 -- 57
FERGUS FALLS - 13-40 FG (5-15 3-pt); 5-6 FT; 13 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Alex Nelson 11, Jason Jorgenson 6, Kyle Shaikoski 6, Joe Wood 5, Alec Robertson 3, Grant Torgerson 3, Riley Lindberg 2 ... 3-point shots: Robertson 1, Nelson 1, Torgerson 1, Shaikoski 2 ... Rebound leaders: not available
WILLMAR - 22-44 FG (4-15 3-pt); 9-17 FT; 29 rebounds; 12 fouls ... Scoring: Casey Sussenguth 11, Kyle Townswick 7, Cory Hanson 4, Taylor Filipek 2, Michael Dunham 3, Jordan Smith 5, Ryan Hagemeyer 6, Ryan DeGree 2, Matt Seehusen 9, Tom Boike 8, ... 3-point shots: Townswick 1, Hanson 1, Dunham 1, Smith 1 ... Rebound leaders: Seehusen 6, Duhham 4, Smith 2, Sussenguth 5, DeGree 2, Hagemeyer 3 ... Assist leaders: Townswick 6, Dunham 3, Smith 2, Sussenguth 2 ... Steal leaders: Seehusen 3, Hanson 2, Dunham 3 ... Blocks: Seehusen 2
