WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals offense is heating up in the dead of winter.
Friday night's 74-52 win over the Rocori Spartans marked the fifth time in the last seven games the Cardinals reached or exceeding 70 points.
Not bad for a squad whose reputation is blue-collar defense.
"Typically, we're known for being toughest on defense," said coach Brad Atchison. "We've successfully turned it up offensively (since the holidays). We're seeing the floor and passing the ball very unselfishly."
The Cardinals shared enough for 20 assists helping five players reach double figures. Most of the baskets came close in leading to 63 percent accuracy on 48 attempts.
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Forward Jena Thompson, who played perhaps her best game, led with 18 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks.
Alex Lippert pumped in 17 points for the Cardinal;s before fouling out with seven minutes left. The 6-foot-4 senior has averaged 21.0 points over the last three games.
Kayli Gimse put up 12 points, Hannah Smith 11 and Mariel Aamot 10.
Rocori, which fell behind 15-2 at the start, trailed 40-19 at half and got as close as 15 points in the second half. The Spartans (2-8, 3-11) were led by Jordan Hansen with 16 points and Stacy Svihel, who made four 3-pointers on the way to 14 points.
Willmar (8-1, 13-2) remains at the top of the 10-team Central Lakes standings, along with Alexandria. Willmar hosts Fergus Falls on Thursday and then Sauk Rapids next Saturday evening at Parents Night.
Willmar 74, Rocori 52
Rocori (2-8, 3-11) 19 33 -- 52
Willmar (8-1, 13-2) 40 34 -- 74
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ROCORI - 21-62 FG (5-11 3-pt); 5-14 FT; 20 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Kelly Davis 4, Jessica Heinen 6, Stacy Svihel 14, Jordan Hansen 16, Kairsten Nelson 4, Courtney Bernard 8 ... 3-point shots: Svihel 4, Hansen 1 ... Rebound leaders: Nelson 4 ... Assist leaders: Heinen 5, Hanson 4 ... Steal leaders: Hanson 4
WILLMAR - 30-48 FG (0-5 3-pt); 14-20 FT; 38 rebounds; 13 fouls ... Scoring: Mariel Aamot 10, Lucinda Sweazey 2, Hannah Smith 11, Carrie Boike 2, Kayli Gimse 12, Jen Knake 2, Alex Lippert 17, Jena Thompson 18 ... 3-point shots: none ... Rebound leaders: Thompson 11, Gimse 8, Smith 7, Lippert 7 ... Assist leaders: Thompson 8, Gimse 5 ... Steal leaders: Knake 4 ... Blocks: Lippert 5, Thompson 4
