MOORHEAD -- Sam Esboldt netted 20 points after not missing a shot and three other players scored in double figures for unbeaten Willmar as the Cardinals cruised to a 76-62 non-conference win over Moorhead Saturday in boys basketball.
Esboldt was 4-for-4 on three-pointers, 3-for-3 on shots inside the three-point arc and 2-for-2 at the free throw line. Jeremy Schendel and Taylor Filipek added 13 points apiece and Brian Reeves followed with 11 more. Willmar (8-0) shot 54 percent from the field as team, including going 10-for-18 from beyond the arc.
"The kids just shot the lights out in the first half and then in the second half," said Willmar coach Steve Grove. "We had great offensive possessions and that puts pressure on the other team when you're shooting the lights out."
Schendel pumped in three 3-pointers with Sam Spaulding knocking down two more and Jimmy Unger another for the Cardinals, who owned a comfortable 44-20 lead at halftime.
Unger led the team with seven rebounds with Filipek handing out a team-high five assists and Reeves blocking three shots.
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The Cardinals travel to Brainerd (2-4) on Thursday to resume their Central Lakes Conference schedule.
Willmar 76, Moorhead 62
Willmar (8-0) 44 32 -- 76
Moorhead (2-5) 20 42 -- 62
WILLMAR - 29-54 FG (10-18 3-pt); 8-13 FT; 30 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Jimmy Unger 3, Jake Rambow 2, Ryan Lawler 2, Jeremy Schendel 13, Jeremy Olson 2, Brian Reeves 11, Sam Esboldt 20, Sam Spaulding 6, Taylor Filipek 13, Jake Damhof 2 ... 3-point shots: Unger 1, Schendel 3, Esboldt 4, Spaulding 2 ... Rebound leaders: Unger 7, Reeves 6 ... Assist leaders: Filipek 5 ... Steal leaders: Esboldt 2 ... Blocks: Reeves 3
MOORHEAD - 26-67 FG (3-14 3-pt); 7-12 FT; 37 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Matt Fernholz 6, Sam Stetz 12, Aaron Lien 2, Joel Emery 10, Ryan Sederquist 9, Travis Hand 6, Wes Anderson 7, Emmet Solien 8, Kristian Lien 2 ... 3-point shots: Fernholz 1, Stetz 2 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available
