WILLMAR -- A tough week for the Willmar Cardinals concluded Friday night with a 54-48 loss to the visiting Little Falls Flyers in Central Lakes Conference boys basketball.
The Cardinals were 10-0 but have suffered consecutive losses to St. Cloud Tech, Edina and now the Flyers, who pulled into a tie with Willmar for third in the CLC, both at 5-2.
In this one, the Flyers sprung to a 29-13 bulge. It appeared the Willmar team was yet numb from Thursday night's last second loss to the Hornets, 57-56.
"We stood around at first to see Taylor (Filipek) score 10 points," said coach Steve Grove.
Filipek started the night with 990 points. He sat most of the first half with two fouls. The senior forward, averaging 23 ppg, finished with three points.
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It took Willmar just over seven minutes to score; finally, Jake Damhof, off the bench, hit a basket to end the Flyers' 9-0 run to start the game.
Andrew Bangen, who would lead Willmar with 14 points, was the only starter to post points in the first half.
Fueled by five treys, the Cardinals did a turnaround in the last 18 minutes outscoring the Flyers 35-25.
"With Taylor not scoring, it was good to see other kids step up," said Grove.
Jimmy Unger's four-point play tied the game for the first time, 33-33, and completed a 20-4 Cardinal run.
Willmar had trouble all evening containing 6-8 senior Dan Kornbaum, who would get 25 points, 15 in the second half to deflect the Willmar charge.
Sam Esboldt found his stroke in the second half to get all 13 of his points.
Filipek got his only points on a dunk and foul shot that tied the score 38-38 with 6:45 left. Bangen's three-pointer gave Willmar its only lead 43-42.
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But Kornbaum scored and the Flyers also got three big baskets the second half from Alex Scott to repel the rally.
Brian Reeves, who averages double figures, was held to under six points a second straight game.
"We're OK," said Grove. "We're still in the (CLC) race. We've got a big game at Marshall on Tuesday, our only section game."
Little Falls 54, Willmar 48
Little Falls (5-2, 9-3) 29 25 -- 54
Willmar (5-2, 10-3) 13 35 -- 48
LITTLE FALLS - 19-47 FG (4-12 3-pt); 12-15 FT; 22 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Dan Kornbaum 25, Ethan Mustonen 8, Grant Bell 4, Zach Horejsi 2, Alex Scott 15 ... 3-point shots: Scott 3, Bell 1 ... Rebound leaders: not available
WILLMAR - 17-39 FG (8-20 3-pt); 6-10 FT; 19 rebounds; 17 fouls ... Scoring: Jimmy Unger 6, Brian Reeves 4, Taylor Filipek 3, Mark Dunham 6, Sam Esboldt 13, Andrew Bangen 14 ... 3-point shots: xx ... Rebound leaders: Damhof 4, Bangen 4, Esboldt 4 ... Assist leaders: Filipek 3 ... Steal leaders: Bangen 2 ... Blocks: Reeves 2
