WILLMAR -- After taking advantage of getting to the free-throw line numerous times, Willmar outlasted defending champion New London-Spicer 70-56 Thursday in the final of the Willmar Bremer Bank Holiday Classic.
The Cardinals, who advanced to the final by getting two free throws from senior guard Kyle Townswick with no time left against Becker on Wednesday, shot a torrid 87 percent (26-for-30) from the charity stripe. Townswick didn't miss an attempt in 12 tries from the foul line en route to netting a game-high 23 points.
Willmar (7-2) led by as much as 12 points in the first half before Matt Dreier and Jordan Radel drained two 3-pointers apiece in a span of just under four minutes late in the half to help the Wildcats (5-3) get within one at halftime.
But Willmar committed five turnovers in the first 2:45 of the second half, allowing the Wildcats to take a 40-36 lead.
Two layups from Skylar Wachter, another from Wade Powers and a running floater from Jackson Wright, who had a team-high 15 points, allowed the Wildcats to open the second half on a 8-3 run.
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Willmar then battled back and went ahead 41-40 on a Matt Seehusen layup and Ryan Hagemeyer's three-point play. A long-ranger jumper from Wright and another trey from Radel put NLS up by four with 13 minutes remaining, but Townswick and the Cardinals took over and never looked back.
"We got in foul trouble and were tired," said NLS coach Matt Cordes of his team's performance in final portion of the second half. "They were deeper and they defensively wear you down. They have a number of athletes, contest shots and rebound well."
That was the case Thursday night as the Cardinals owned a 31-12 advantage on the glass. Hagemeyer, Seehusen and Casey Sussenguth all grabbed six rebounds for Willmar. Hagemeyer also pumped in 13 points.
The Wildcats got as close as four with just over five minutes remaining, but with the help of going 7-for-8 at the free-throw line, Willmar outscored NLS 14-4 the rest of the way.
"Towards the end of the game they weren't making those three-pointers they made in the first half," said Willmar coach Steve Grove. "Our deeper bench helped us gain the physical edge late in the game."
Becker rallied past Duluth Central 72-65 to claim third place.
Willmar 70, NL-Spicer 56
NL-Spicer (5-3).......................................32 24 -- 56
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Willmar (7-2).........................................33 37 -- 70
NEW LONDON-SPICER - 21-52 FG (5-19 3 pt); 9-14 FT; 12 rebounds; 21 fouls ... Scoring: Austin Hadley 4, Jackson Wright 15, Jordan Radel 9, Matt Dreier 6, Skylar Wachter 12, Chris Tengwall 2, Wade Powers 8 ... 3-point shots: Radel 3, Dreier 2 ... Rebound leaders: Powers 3, Tengwall 2 ... Assist leader: Radel 8 ... Steal leaders: Hadley 3, Radel 3 ... Blocks: Powers 3
WILLMAR - 19-34 FG (6-11 3 pt); 26-30 FT; 31 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Kyle Townswick 23, Matt Seehusen 10, Cory Hanson 6, Michael Dunham 9, Casey Sussenguth 7, Ryan Hagemeyer 13, Tom Boike 2 ... 3-point shots: Townswick 3, Dunham 2, Hanson 1 ... Rebound leaders: Hagemeyer 6, Sussenguth 6, Seehusen 6 ... Assist leader: Townswick 5 ... Steal leaders: Seehusen 2, Jordan Smith 2 ... Blocks: Sussenguth 3
