WILLMAR - Big Lake's girls basketball team scored the first two points of the game Saturday but Willmar led the rest of the way in a 62-49 win at Willmar High School.
The Cardinals responded with a 9-0 run after allowing the game's opening bucket and maintained control in a defensive first half. The Hornets struggled to convert on shooting opportunities early in the game, especially when pressured from Willmar's press defense.
Willmar took a 29-19 lead into the break and defense remained the story through the first five minutes of the second half as both teams were held scoreless. Big Lake broke the stalemate once again and worked on cutting Willmar's lead to five points. Throughout the second half it was Big Lake's full-court press that caused troubles, allowing the Hornets to remain close but the Hornets were repeatedly whistled for fouls, all but shutting down their comeback attempt. The Hornets finished with 11 team fouls in the second half for a total of 18 to Willmar's total of 12. To that point, Willmar finished 13-of-22 from the charity stripe while Big Lake was held to 5-of-8.
Down the stretch, the Cardinals extended their lead to as much as 16 points before settling with a 13-point victory, in part due to Carly Wedel's strong play. She hit a three-pointer with the Hornets hanging around and provided a big block on the other end to slow down a comeback.
"Carly had a big impact around the basket on both ends of the floor finishing and altering shots," said Willmar head coach Dustin Carlson.
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Wedel finished with 11 points and seven rebounds while Hannah Johnson played a major role in carrying the team at the point. She finished with a team-high 13 points.
"Hannah stepped up big for us tonight offensively looking for her shot," Carlson said.
The win pushes the Cardinals to 8-6 on the season and they now have three wins in four tries against Section 5AAA opponents.
"It was a solid performance by the girls and a huge section win," Carlson said.
Willmar will play at home on Tuesday against Fergus Falls.
Willmar 62, Big Lake 49
Big Lake 19 30 - 49
Willmar 29 33 - 62
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BIG LAKE - Scoring: Name not available 3, Kelly Jochum 6, Name not available 2, Name not available 5, Emma Anderson 13, Name not available 10, Maddie Nelson 2, Talyn McClaflin 8
WILLMAR - Scoring: Grace Sawyer 10, Kayla Rudie 2, Grace Marti 6, Carly Magnuson 2, Jordyn Swoboda 11, Hannah Johnson 13, Carly Wedel 11, Heidi Sellmann 7 ... 3-point shots: Sawyer 1, Swoboda 1, Wedel 1 ... Rebound leader: Cayle Hovland 10, Wedel 7, Sellmann 7 ... Assist leader: Hovland 4 ... Steal leader: Abby Berskow 2, Marti 2
