SAUK RAPIDS -- The Willmar Cardinals ended a two-game skid by overrunning Sauk Rapids 77-55 on Thursday in Central Lakes boys basketball.
Willmar dropped games at Rocori and Fergus Falls to start this four-game road swing, which concludes Saturday evening with a non-conference game at Montevideo.
Willmar, which started 10-0, had lost five of seven before last night.
Willmar started slow again trailing the Storm 19-12; the visitor's first lead came at 24-22 during a 20-5 run.
Jake Rambow, off the bench, hit a pair of treys early and finished with a career-high 16 points, including four 3-pointers.
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"He gave us a spark. The guys really fed off his energy," said Willmar coach Steve Grove.
That supported 18 points from Taylor Filipek and 17 by Brian Reeves. Filipek got 11 rebounds and Reeves seven.
The Storm got within 11 in the second half.
"We made free throws at the end and that helped," said Grove. "We were 13 of 15 from the line and that will take the air out of a comeback."
Senior wing David Kroger hit a trio of treys for 18 points to lead the Storm (1-10, 3-16).
The Cardinals made 8 of 21 from the arch, including a pair by Sam Esboldt during the run. Esboldt and Andrew Bangen finished with six points each and Sam Spaulding and Jake Damhof five apiece.
Willmar 77, Sk. Rapids 55
Willmar (7-4, 13-5) 32 45 -- 77
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Sauk Rapids (1-10, 3-16) 24 31 -- 55WILLMAR - 28-61 FG (8-21 3-pt); 13-15 FT; 36 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Jake Rambow 16, Sam Spaulding 5, Jake Damhof 5, Andrew Bangen 6, Sam Esboldt 6, Brian Reeves 17, Taylor Filipek 18, Jeremy Schendel 4 ... 3-point shots: Rambow 4, Esboldt 2, ... Rebound leaders: Filipek 11, Reeves 7 ... Assist leaders: Bangen 4 ... Steal leaders: Reeves 2 ... Blocks: Filipek 3
SAUK RAPIDS - 22-55 FG (5-15 3-pt); 6-17 FT; 25 rebounds; 17 fouls ... Scoring: David Kroger 18, Cody Meyer 10, Derek Cagle 9, Jamie Vilalaz 2, Brian Christian 2, David Zieberth 4, Felipe Vilalaz 8, Zach Hafner 2 ... 3-point shots: Kroger 3, Cagle 1, Meyer 1 ... Rebound, assist and steal leaders not available
