SAUK RAPIDS -- Willmar's full-court press led to 27 steals and the Cardinals whipped Sauk Rapids 71-46 in a Central Lakes Conference girls basketball game on Thursday.
Sara Kallhoff led the Willmar charge with a career-high 18 points to go along with four steals and three assists.
"Sara had a great game," said Willmar coach Brad Atchison. "She was the catalyst on both ends of the court."
The Cardinals (7-3, 8-5), who beat Sauk Rapids 78-70 in the first meeting on Dec. 14 in Willmar, led 39-19 at halftime and never looked back en route to winning for the fifth time in the last six games.
"We played a great game tonight," said Atchison. "We're getting better and that's all you can ask."
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It was the third time this season that Willmar has scored over 70 points.
Kayli Gimse added 15 points and five rebounds for the Cardinals. Anne Dunham had seven points off the bench.
Cori Becker had a game-high 19 points for the Storm (3-8, 4-14).
Willmar hosts Sartell in a Central Lakes Conference game at 3 pm. on Saturday.
Willmar 71, Sauk Rapids 46
Willmar (7-3, 8-5) 39 32 -- 71
Sauk Rapids (3-8, 4-14) 19 27 -- 46
WILLMAR - 24-64 FG (5-14 3-pt); 18-26 FT; 29 rebounds; 21 fouls ... Scoring: Lindsey Atchison 4, Lucinda Sweazey 4, Addy Nelsen 6, Shantel Kelly 3, Sara Kallhoff 18, Boike 4, Megan Skalla 4, Kayli Gimse 15, Laura Shwartz 4, Anne Dunham 7, Sarah Roehl 2 ... 3-point shots: Nelsen 2, Kallhoff 2, Gimse 1 ... Rebound leaders: Kelly 5, Gimse 5, Swartz 5 ... Assist leaders: Kelly 3, Kallhoff 3 ... Steal leaders: Atchison 5, Boike 5, Nelsen 4, Kallhoff 4 .. Blocks: Boike 3
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SAUK RAPIDS - 17-37 FG (2-5 3-pt); 10-23 FT; 23 rebounds; 19 fouls ... Scoring: Sidney Strake 2, Rachel Wotzka 8, Bailey Bemboom 4, Hannah Newman 2, Ellie Henkemeyer 2, Rachel Paulson 2, Cori Becker 19, Katie Kirk 2, Tara Haakinson 5 ... 3-point shots: Wotzka 2 ... Rebound leaders: Haakinson 5, Becker 4
