ALEXANDRIA -- If rules from a couple of years ago were still in force, the Willmar girls basketball team would have held Alexandria scoreless in the first quarter.
But this is the second year of the 18-minute halves, so Willmar held its Central Lakes Conference opponent without a point for the first 9½ minutes of their game Thursday, en route to a 54-46 victory.
In that time, Willmar took a 15-0 lead, then finished the half with a 25-13 advantage.
The win dropped Alexandria (6-3, 7-6) from the top of the conference. Willmar (5-4, 8-7) also extracted some revenge from a 54-30 loss to Alexandria in Willmar Nov. 28.
Willmar got the job done at the foul line, making 20-of-30 shots. Alexandria wasn't far behind, making 16-of-23. The teams combined for 44 fouls.
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Kelsey Evans paced Willmar with 21 points. She also added seven rebounds.
Lisa Nielsen notched 12 points and nine boards, and Megan Brown chipped in 10 points.
Angela Christianson had 17 points for Alexandria. Cate Dunn tossed in 14 points.
Willmar hosts Sartell in another Central Lakes Conference game on Tuesday.
Willmar 54, Alexandria 46
Willmar (5-4, 8-7) 25 27 -- 54
Alexandria (6-3, 7-6) 13 33 -- 46
WILLMAR - 16-31 FG (2-6 3-pt); 20-30 FT; 25 rebounds; 24 fouls ... Scoring: Megan Brown 10, Kelsey Evans 21, Brin Hanson 4, Hannah Okins 1, Briana Goldschmidt 3, Lisa Nielsen 12, Greta King 3 ... 3-point shots: Brown 1, Goldschmidt 1 ... Rebound leaders: Nielsen 9, Evans 7 ... Assist leaders: Hanson 2, Goldschmidt 2 ... Steal leaders: Brown 2, Hanson 2, Nielsen 2
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ALEXANDRIA - 14-47 FG (2-13 3-pt); 16-23 FT; 25 rebounds; 20 fouls ... Scoring: Mackenzie West 1, Bria Lanners 5, Sarah Weaver 3, Ashley Kappes 4, Amanda Otterness 2, Cate Dunn 14, Angela Christianson 17 ... 3-point shots: Weaver 1, Christianson 1 ... Rebound leaders: Dunn 6, Christianson 5 ... Assist leaders: West 2 ... Steal leaders: Christianson 2
