MONTEVIDEO -- Sam Esboldt drained a three-pointer with one second left to give Willmar a 62-61 non-conference win over Montevideo Saturday as the Cardinals overcame Brett Bergeson's 31 points for the Thunder Hawks in boys basketball.
Jake Douglas made two free throws with 23 seconds left in regulation to give Montevideo (8-8) a 62-60 lead. Willmar (13-5) held for the last shot after getting the ball across midcourt and Esboldt hit the game-winner near the top of the key after creating space with a pump fake.
Montevideo had to inbound under Willmar's basket, but the Thunder Hawks' pass intended for Bergeson was intercepted by Willmar's Taylor Filipek to end a game that saw no one have a lead more than five points.
Montevideo has now lost four of its last five games.
Taylor Filipek led Willmar with 27 points while Esboldt finished with 17. Both canned three 3-pointers to help the Cardinals go 8-for-21 from beyond the arc.
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Bergeson made four treys -- all in the second half -- and Douglas followed with 13 points.
Willmar hosts Sartell in a Central Lakes Conference game Tuesday, weather permitting.
Willmar 62, Montevideo 61
Willmar (13-5) 27 35 -- 62
Montevideo (8-8) 28 33 -- 61
WILLMAR - 25-55 FG (8-21 3-pt); 4-7 FT; 27 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Mark Dunham 3, Jake Rambow 4, Andrew Bangen 7, Brian Reeves 4, Sam Esboldt 17, Taylor Filipek 27 ... 3-point shots: Dunham 1, Bangen 1, Esboldt 3, Filipek 3 ... Rebound leaders: Filipek 8 ... Assist leaders: Bangen 3, Dunham 3 ... Steal leaders: Reeves 3
MONTEVIDEO - 22-52 FG (6-23 3-pt); 11-14 FT; 24 rebounds; 13 fouls ... Scoring: Tom Grages 2, Troy Hendrickson 1, Ryan Boike 8, Colton Vien 4, Brett Bergeson 31, Tyler Modderman 2, Jake Douglas 13 ... 3-point shots: Boike 2, Bergeson 4 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available
