ST. PETER - Aiming for a second upset in the postseason, the Willmar Cardinals misfired too many times and burdened by 29 turnovers fell to Hutchinson 54-44 on the Gustavus Adolphus campus Saturday night.
The No. 6-seed Cardinals, who expelled Worthington from the Section 2AAA picture on Tuesday, made only 12 of 55 floor attempts on Gus Young Court (22 percent).
The Cardinals finish at .500 (14-14). The 2-seeds (18-9) play top-seed Marshall (27-1) on Thursday for the state visit. Marshall deflected No. 4 Mankato East’s upset bid 60-56 in the early game.
Willmar led 19-18 at halftime but was outscored 36-25 the second half, at one point falling behind by 20 points.
The Hutchinson defense shook up the Cardinals’ offensive rhythm, which contributed to the upset at Worthington four days earlier.
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“Hutchinson played a 1-2-2 zone that really gave us trouble,” Cardinals’ head coach Dustin Carlson said. “The full-court pressure gave us fits as well. We had our chances to make runs but we just couldn’t get the ball to go in.”
No one attained double figures for the underdogs. Jordan Martins finished with 9 points and Courtney Magnuson 7.
Hutchinson didn’t shoot all that well either (29 percent) but did have 13 fewer turnovers. The Tigers were led in scoring by sophomore forward Erin Corrigan with 14 points and freshman guard Tori Wortz with 12.
It was the final game for eight Cardinal seniors: Megan Rudnick, Tara Rudie, Martins, McKenzie Hastad, Bailey Hovland, Kaitlyn Lawler, Sami Doering and Jennie Magnuson.
Hutchinson 54, Willmar 44
Willmar (14-14) 19 25 - 44
Hutchinson (18-9) 18 36 - 54
WILLMAR – 12-55 FG (3-14 3-pt); 17-30 FT; 47 rebounds; 17 fouls … Scoring: Courtney Magnuson 7, Tara Rudie 2, McKenzie Hastad 4, Leah Ruter 6, Jennie Magnuson 5, Kaitlynn Kienholz 3, Megan Rudnick 1, Jordan Martins 9, Sami Doering 5, Lexi Orlowski 2 … 3-point shots: Ruter, Doering, Martins … Rebound leaders: Rudnick 7, Martins 4, C. Magnuson 10, Hastad 8, Kienholz 4, Orlowski 4, Leah Ruter 3, J. Magnuson 3 … Assist leaders: C. Magnuson 3 … Steal leaders: Ruter 2
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HUTCHINSON – 19-65 FG (2-11 3-pt); 14-22 FT; 29 rebounds; 25 fouls … Scoring: Nicole Schommer 5, Traci Schwantes 2, Tori Wortz 12, Monroe Julius 4, Erica Ellfson 3, Erin Corrigan 14, Taylor Jrgenson 2, Abby Esser 2, Madison Christie 5, Grace Bordson 5… 3-point shots: Wortz, Ellefson
