HUTCHINSON -- Willmar limited Hutchinson to just three field goals in the second half and got a season-high 23 points from center Laura Nielsen as the Cardinals posted a 66-26 non-conference win Tuesday.
Willmar (4-1) switched to a man-to-man defense in the second half after owning a 27-18 lead at halftime. The Cardinals proceeded to outscore the young Tigers (0-5) 39-8 in the game's final 18 minutes. It was the Cardinals' highest-scoring half on the early season.
The Tigers, who had three juniors and two freshmen on the floor on many occasions, had problems containing Nielsen, Willmar's leading scorer. The 6-2 senior netted 14 points in the first half and also came up with six rebounds, five steals and three blocks.
Senior guard Andrea Brown followed Nielsen with 12 points. Brown, who has scored in double figures in four of the Cardinals' five games, also amassed three assists and three steals.
Sophomore guard Briana Goldschmidt added eight points for the Cardinals. Brown drained two 3-pointers while Goldschmidt and sophomore guard Megan Brown also connected from beyond the arc.
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Willmar 66, Hutchinson 26
Willmar (4-1) 27 39 -- 66
Hutchinson (0-5) 18 8 -- 26
WILLMAR - 26-56 FG (4-13 3 pt); 10-19 FT; 27 rebounds; 10 fouls ... Scoring: Megan Brown 6, Dana Guetter 4, Andrea Brown 12, Briana Goldschmidt 8, Katie Holmgren 5, Lisa Nielsen 5, Courtney Arends 1, Laura Nielsen 23, Whitney Arends 2 ... 3-point shots: M. Brown 1, A. Brown 2, Goldschmidt 1 ... Rebound leaders: Laura Nielsen 6, Lisa Nielsen 5, Goldschmidt 5 ... Assist leaders: Holmgren 5, A. Brown 3, Laura Nielsen 3 ... Steal leader: Laura Nielsen 5, Guetter 3, A. Brown 3 .... Blocked shots: Laura Nielsen 3
HUTCHINSON - 10 FG (4 3 pt); 2-4 FT; rebounds not available; 13 fouls ... Scoring: Michaelia Larson 2, Brittany Stamer 3, Ashley Roder 9, Kaitlin Hjerpe 2, Jessica Elfering 2, Kate Bryan 4, Kate Bryon 4 ... 3-point shots: Roder 3, Stamer 1
NEXT -- Willmar: Friday, home vs. Fergus Falls
