SAUK RAPIDS -- Kelsey Evans, Jena Thompson and Mariel Aamot combined to score 61 points and Willmar had two other players score 10 points each as the Cardinals cruised past Sauk Rapids 85-71 to open their Central Lakes Conference schedule Tuesday.
Evans led all scorers with 26 points, while Jena Thompson followed with 21 and Mariel Aamot 14.
The Cardinals (1-0, 2-0) also had Hannah Murphy and Briana Goldschmidt net 10 points apiece.
According to Tribune records, the last time Willmar scored 80 points was Jan. 4, 2004, a span of 74 games.
Willmar used an early 7-0 run to take control against Sauk Rapids. Behind five 3-pointers, the Cardinals owned a 43-29 lead at halftime.
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A basket from senior forward Greta King late in the second half gave Willmar its biggest lead at 79-53.
Thompson also had a game-high 10 rebounds while Evans piled up eight rebounds, five steals and three assists. Aamot dished out a game-high five assists for Willmar, which hosts Sartell on Friday in another Central Lakes Conference game.
In a tightly-officiated game, Willmar took 42 shots from the free-throw line, making 24. The Cardinals made 14 of their free throws in the second half.
Leah Schmidt led Sauk Rapids with 23 points.
Willmar 85, Sauk Rapids 71
Willmar (1-0, 2-0) 43 42 -- 85
Sauk Rapids (0-1, 0-1) 29 42 -- 71
WILLMAR - 27-54 FG (7-11 3-pt); 24-42 FT; 34 rebounds; 20 fouls ... Scoring: Kelsey Evans 26, Jena Thompson 21, Mariel Aamot 14, Hannah Murphy 10, Greta King 3, Briana Goldschmidt 10, Emily Nelsen 1 ... 3-point shots: Evans 3, Goldschmidt 2, Aamot 1, Murphy 1 ... Rebound leaders: Thompson 10, Evans 8, King 6 ... Assist leaders: Aamot 5, Megan Brown 4, Evans 3 ... Steal leaders: Evans 5, Goldschmidt 2
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SAUK RAPIDS - 31-55 FG (2-9 3-pt); 4-11 FT; 26 rebounds; 29 fouls ... Scoring: Amanda Crawford 4, Kayla Partch 5, Katie Christian 19, Crystal Benoit 2, Megan Huberty 4, Beth St. Martin 2, Leah Schmidt 23, Jesse Warzecha 10, Nina Getchell 2 ... 3-point shots: Partch 1, Christian 1 ... Rebound leaders: Benoit 5, Christian 4 ... Assist leader: Christian 2 ... Steal leaders: Christian 3, St. Martin 3, Schmidt 3
