WILLMAR -- Willmar unloaded its bench with the game well in hand and got a lot of production in a 68-38 win over Sauk Rapids in Central Lakes Conference girls basketball action Saturday.
The Cardinals (10-1, 15-2) had 12 players score at least two points each, and gained 24 points from players who aren't normally in the team's rotation.
"We had a chance to play a lot of our kids," said Willmar coach Brad Atchison.
The Storm (0-11, 0-18) hung in with Willmar in the first half as the Cardinals held a 28-17 halftime lead.
"We didn't shoot the ball very well," Atchison said. "We found our rhythm early in the second half. We started to get the high-low passes in from Jena Thompson to Alex Lippert."
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Thompson picked up six assists to lead the team, but she didn't score any points. Lippert benefitted from the passing with 20 points. She also grabbed eight rebounds and blocked eight shots.
"I thought the girls rebounded well to put in a great effort in the second half," said Atchison.
Shantel Kelly came off the bench to add 10 points for the Cardinals. Mariel Aamot chipped in nine points.
Willmar will have a chance to avenge its only CLC loss of the season when it travels to Brainerd today. The Cardinals lost to the Warriors on Jan. 12 in Willmar. Then the Cardinals host CLC co-leader Alexandria Friday.
Willmar 68, Sauk Rapids 38
Sauk Rapids (0-11, 0-18) 17 21 -- 38
Willmar (10-1, 15-2) 28 40 -- 68
SAUK RAPIDS - 12-34 FG (1-6 3-pt); 13-23 FT; 24 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Bailey Weirens 17, Rachel Wotzka 5, Heidi Rajkowski 6, Cori Becker 11 ... 3-point shots: Weirens 1 ... Rebound leaders: Weirens 6 ... Assist leaders: none ... Steal leaders: none
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WILLMAR - 26-57 FG (3-9 3-pt); 13-24 FT; 27 rebounds; 23 fouls ... Scoring: Lindsey Atchison 2, Casey Marcus 2, Mariel Aamot 9, Lucinda Sweazey 4, Hannah Smith 7, Shantel Kelly 10, Sara Kallhoff 2, Megan Skalla 2, Kayli Gimse 6, Laura Swartz 2, Jen Knake 2, Alex Lippert 20 ... 3-point shots: Aamot 2, Smith 1 ... Rebound leaders: Lippert 8, Knake 5 ... Assist leaders: Jena Thompsen 6, Smith 4 ... Steal leaders: Aamot 3 ... Blocks: Lippert 8
