ALEXANDRIA -- Willmar shot only 36 percent from the field en route to its poorest offensive output of the season as Alexandria edged the visiting Cardinals 51-46 Tuesday in a Central Lakes Conference boys basketball game.
Willmar, which was handed its second straight loss after winning six in a row, led 25-18 at halftime behind a strong defensive effort.
"We just went cold in the second half," said Willmar coach Steve Grove. "We had the lead for the most of the second half and they tied it with four minutes left. We just couldn't hit a shot in the latter part of the second half.
"In the first half our pressure defense was working as we were able to set up (the defense) after making baskets, but we just went cold."
Jeremy Schendel had 15 points and Jimmy Unger followed with 14 to pace Willmar, which made only 5-of-22 (23 percent) three-point attempts in the game.
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Only three other players scored for Willmar as the Cardinals were outrebounded by the hometown Cardinals, who had a shooting clip of 44 percent and made 8-of-12 free-throw attempts.
Parker Giroux led Alexandria, coached by Morris Area graduate Forrest Witt, with 15 points while Eric Carlsen added another 10.
Willmar will look to snap its losing streak on Friday when it plays at St. Cloud Tech in another CLC game.
Alexandria 51, Willmar 46
Willmar (4-2, 6-3) 25 21 -- 46
Alexandria (4-1, 5-3) 18 33 -- 51
WILLMAR - 17-47 FG (5-22 3-pt); 7-14 FT; 26 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Jeremy Schendel 15, Jimmy Unger 14, Jake Rambow 5, Mo Mohamud 2, Jake Damhoff 2 ... 3-point shots: Schendel 3, Unger 2 ... Rebound leaders: Nate Esboldt 6 ... Assist leaders: Unger 2 ... Steal leaders: Esboldt 2, Rambow 2
ALEXANDRIA - 20-45 FG (3-9 3-pt); 8-12 FT; 29 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Eric Carlsen 10, Parker Giroux 15, Chris Curry 4, Mitch Ronning 8, Dylan Galligan 7, Dan Gorghuber 5, AJ Anderson 2 ... 3-point shots: Ronning 2, Gorghuber 1 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available
