COLD SPRING -- Playing back-to-back games didn't faze the Willmar girls basketball team.
The Cardinals (14-3, 20-4) smothered Rocori 65-38 in a Central Lakes Conference game, a day after taking care of section foe Marshall. Both games were on the road.
"We showed a lot of heart in the back-to-back games," said Willmar coach Brad Atchison. "We took care of business on both ends of the floor."
The travel didn't seem to weigh on the Cardinals as they held Rocori (3-14, 4-19) to 21-or-fewer points in both halves. Willmar held a 36-21 halftime lead.
"It was a good job defensively," Atchison added. "We switched between our zone and man defenses."
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Willmar held Rocori to 30 percent (13 of 44) shooting from the field.
Offensively, Jena Thompson's 14 points led the Cardinals. Hannah Smith had 12 points and six rebounds, Alex Lippert followed with 11 points and seven rebounds, and Kayli Gimse had 11 points.
"The balanced scoring was nice to see in the boxscore," Atchison said.
Jordan Hansen and Stacy Svihel scored eight points each for Rocori.
Willmar 65, Rocori 38
Willmar (14-3, 20-4) 36 29 -- 65
Rocori (3-14, 4-19) 21 17 -- 38
WILLMAR - 25-66 FG (1-2 3-pt); 14-17 FT; 31 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Mariel Aamot 7, Hannah Smith 12, Addy Nelsen 3, Carrie Boike 2, Kayli Gimse 11, Laura Swartz 2, Jen Knake 2, Alex Lippert 12, Jena Thompson 14 ... 3-point shots: Nelsen 1 ... Rebound leaders: Lippert 7, Smith 6, Knake 5, Gimse 5 ... Assist leaders: Lippert 4 ... Steal leaders: Sara Kallhoff 2
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ROCORI - 13-44 FG (6-14 3-pt); 6-13 FT; 20 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Shaina Schmitz 4, Jess Heinen 8, Lexi Mehr 2, Jordan Hansen 8, Ari Heying 3, Kairsten Nelson 3, Stacy Svihel 8, Mia Toren 2 ... 3-point shots: Heinen 2, Hansen 2, Svihel 2 ... Rebound leaders: Nelson 5 ... Assist leaders: Heying 5 ... Steal leaders: none
