Otters wear down Cardinals

WILLMAR - A five-point halftime lead fell by the wayside for the Willmar girls' basketball team fell to Fergus Falls 57-44 at home Tuesday night at Willmar High School.

The Cardinals' defensive pressure proved stout through the first 18 minutes, holding the Otters to 17 first-half points.

In the second half, though, Fergus Falls clicked on all cylinders to pull away for a comfortable win.

No Cardinals scored in double figures, but Hannah Johnson and Heidi Sellman led the team with eight points apiece.

Abby Berskow finished with six points, Kayla Rudie scored five and Grace Marti, Jordyn Swoboda, Cayle Hovland and Carly Wedel had four points.

Hovland had six rebounds and Wedel had five boards and four assists.

Fergus Falls 57, Willmar 44

Fergus Falls (9-7) 16 41 - 57

Willmar (8-7) 21 23 - 43

FERGUS FALLS - Stats not provided.

WILLMAR - Scoring: Abby Berskow 6, Grace Sawyer 1, Kayla Rudie 5, Grace Marti 4, Jordyn Swoboda 4, Hannah Johnson 8, Cayle Hovland 4, Carly Wedel 4, Heidi Sellmann 8 ... 3-point shots: Berskow 2 ... Rebound leader: Hovland 6, Wedel 5... Assist leader: Wedel 4 ... Steal leader: Johnson 2, Sellman 2

1/4: Briana Sanchez/ TribuneStudents put their hands in the air during a Willmar free-throw during the game against Fergus Falls at Willmar Senior High Tuesday.

2/4: Briana Sanchez/ TribuneAbby Berskow, Willmar, trys to set the ball up during the game against Fergus Falls at Willmar Senior High Tuesday.

3/4: Briana Sanchez/ TribuneHeidi Sellmann, Willmar, gains possession of the ball during the game against Fergus Falls at Willmar Senior High Tuesday.

4/4: Briana Sanchez/ TribuneHannah Johnson, Willmar, keeps the ball from going out of bounds during the game against Fergus Falls at Willmar Senior High Tuesday.