ST. CLOUD -- There was no fighting off the St. Cloud Tech Tigers this time.
Quick, smooth and shooting at a 63-percent clip, the Tigers mauled Willmar 92-63 on Friday night in Central Lakes Conference boys basketball.
The Tigers' uncanny accuracy included making 17-of-18 free throws.
Since winning at St. Cloud Tech last season, 74-61, the Cardinals have lost three straight to the Tigers -- the first two losses by a total of three points, including 85-84 at Willmar on Feb. 3.
This time, Tech never let the Cardinals get close, opening a double-digit lead early in the first half on the way to a 47-33 halftime advantage.
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Tech, ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA, improves to 14-0 in the CLC and 20-0 overall. The Tigers play at second-place St. Cloud Apollo on Thursday.
Nate Wolters, a 6-4 senior and Mr. Basketball finalist, scored 26 points to lead Tech, which had 13 players score.
Willmar was paced by Taylor Filipek with 16 points and Brian Reeves with 11 -- all in the first half -- and Isaiah Streed with 10.
Jordan Smith chipped in nine points and eight rebounds. Reeves also grabbed eight rebounds.
Willmar shot 50 percent from the floor, but even that wasn't enough to keep pace with the Tigers, who have scored 90-or-more points eight times this season.
The Cardinals (10-3, 14-7), who have lost three of five, return home with consecutive Central Lakes games against Sartell on Tuesday, Little Falls on Thursday and St. Cloud Apollo on Feb. 24.
SC Tech 92, Willmar 63
Willmar (10-3, 14-7) 33 32 -- 65
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SC Tech (14-0, 20-0) 47 45 -- 92
WILLMAR - 25-50 FG (5-16 3-pt); 10-15 FT; 28 rebounds; 17 fouls ... Scoring: Alec Saunders 1, Logan Birkland 2, Sam Esboldt 1, Jeremy Schendel 2, James Neis 7, Isaiah Streed 10, Taylor Filipek 16, Jordan Smith 9, Brian Reeves 11, Ryan Filipek 6... 3-point shots: Neis 1, Smith 2, T. Filipek 2 ... Rebound leaders: Smith 8, Reeves 8, Streed 5 ... Assist leaders: Saunders 2, Streed 2 ... Steal leaders: no leader
ST. CLOUD TECH - 34-54 FG (7-22 3-pt); 17-18 FT; 21 rebounds; 20 fouls ... Scoring: Nate Wolters 26, Alex Hanks 11, Alan Fruth 5, Nick Jordan 8, Brady Anderson 9, Adam Johnson 8, Devin Ambrose 5, Mark Kaczor 2, Tyson Euerle 12, Tom Korf 9, Kellan Euerle 2, Dan Stoterau 2, Ike Knowles 2 ... 3-point shots: Fruth 1, Jordan 2, T. Euerle 2, Korf 1 ... Rebound leaders: not available
