ALEXANDRIA -- Showing no sign of a let-up when it comes to mowing down Central Lakes Conference opponents, the Willmar Cardinals turned away Alexandria's upset bid 59-50 on Friday night.
Though just off the conference basement, Alexandria has played Willmar tough both times, including a 61-52 loss at Willmar on Jan. 4.
Both teams made 18 field goals, but the difference was Willmar's improving accuracy at the free-throw line: 18 for 21 (86 percent)
"It wasn't pretty, but we'll take it," said head coach Steve Grove, whose Cardinals are off to a 12-0 start in the CLC for the first time since the 2003-04 season. "It was physical and hard-fought. We had a slow start, but we got the lead at the end of the half and kept it the rest of the way."
Casey Sussenguth led Willmar with 18 points for Willmar. Jordan Smith added 12 points, including three 3-pointers.
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Willmar, which has now won seven straight games, will try to end a three-game losing streak in non-conference play tonight at Montevideo (18-2).
Alexandria, a junior-dominated team, lost its third straight after a four-game win streak that followed a 0-10 start.
The Jefferson High School Cardinals made a run late in the game when Jesse Hafdal released three 3-pointers. Connor Illies, who also made three 3s, led Alexandria with 13 points. Charlie Warnes was a thorn for Willmar defensively making a number of steals.
Willmar 59, Alexandria 50
Willmar (12-0, 14-3) 31 28 -- 59
Alexandria (3-10, 4-14) 24 26 -- 50
WILLMAR - 18-41 FG (5-12 3-pt); 18-21 FT; 24 rebounds; 11 fouls ... Scoring: Adam Lindblad 7, Zach Coquyt 3, Jordan Smith 12, Casey Sussenguth 18, Michael Dunham 5, Taylor Filipek 8, Ryan DeGree 6... 3-point shots: Smith 3, Dunham 1, Lindblad 1 ... Rebound leaders: Smith 7, Sussenguth 6 ... Assist leaders: Smith 2, Dunham 2 ... Steal leaders: Sussenguth 2 .. Blocks: Smith 3
ALEXANDRIA - 18-53 FG (7-21 3-pt); 7-11 FT; 20 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Steve Conley 8, Matt Peterson, Charlie Warnes 7, Jesse Hafdal 9, Connor Illies 13, Gordy Diekman 2, Walker Giroux 3 ... 3-point shots: Hafdal 3, Illies 3, Peterson 1 ... Rebound leaders: not available
