Alexandria girls' basketball: Willmar hands Alexandria a road loss

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The Alexandria girls had an excellent start to their basketball game against Willmar Thursday, jumping to an 11-0 lead, but couldn’t hold on to their advantage, falling 72-60 on the road.

“The Cards came out energized, but fizzled quickly as we were not dug in defensively and made hard work out of nearly every aspect of the game,” said head coach Wendy Kohler. “It left the Cards shaking their heads and time for some real soul searching as we head into a tough week with Rocori and Fergus.”

Willmar was able to make a first half run, tying the game at 17 on a shot by Anne Dunham, and the host Cardinals took the lead as Heather Horning scored and was fouled, hitting her free throw to give Willmar a 20-17 lead.

The two teams stayed close through the remainder of the first half, with Dani Strater hitting a big three-point shot as time expired in that half to bring the Cardinals within one, 33-32.

But the momentum just did hold up for Alexandria as they scratched their way to a lead before Willmar roared back in the second half, outscoring the Cards by 11 to send the Redbirds home with a 72-60 loss.

“We hit the practice floor Saturday morning with Top 20 attitudes, determined to clean things up,” said Kohler. “We are at home Tuesday and Friday for two big CLC showdowns.

“One game at a time needs to be our focus, and executing on both ends as a team.”

Alexandria hosted Rocori last night Tuesday, in a game between the two second place teams in the conference. Both had 5-2 records in the CLC coming in to last night’s game.

The Cards will take on Class AAA’s top-ranked and undefeated Fergus Falls on Friday at home at 7:30 p.m.

WILLMAR 72,

ALEXANDRIA 60

ALEXANDRIA 32 28 — 60

WILLMAR 33 39 — 72

ALEXANDRIA – Kalli Bowser 15, Amanda Christianson 14, Karly Betterman 8, Sarah Bruzek 6, Dani Strater 5, Emily Thul 3, Jaylen Olson-Rodel 2, Kendall Kohler 2, Amanda Gould 2. Field goals 19-59, 3-pt 3-12 (Thul 1, Christianson 1, Strater 1), Free throws 19-26, Rebounds 26, Fouls 22.

WILLMAR – Courtney Magnuson 14, Heather Horning 9, Anne Dunham 18, Kalley Fosso 17, Caroline Bell 6, Jennie Magnuson 2, Leah Ruter 6. Field goals 24-50, 3-pt 6-15, Free throws 18-30, Rebounds 44, Fouls 18 fouls.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, girls, basketball