WILLMAR — Maria West exploded for 30 points to help the Brainerd Warriors snap an 11-game losing streak and beat the Willmar Cardinals 77-73 in overtime Friday in a Central Lakes Conference game
Katelyn Johnson added 16 points and Mikinze Boeder 11 for the Warriors, who had lost an earlier matchup with the Cardinals, 46-38 Dec. 21.
Boeder pulled in 13 rebounds and Taylor Johnshoy snagged 10 to help give Brainerd a 49-48 rebounding edge.
“It was a great team effort,” said Brainerd coach Brian McAllister. “We just took our time, didn’t rush our shots and finally made them. We’ve played well all year, but just hadn’t been able to score.
“We played great defense, a 2-3 zone most of the game and (Willmar) put up a lot of shots, but they weren’t hitting (24-81 including 8-31 from 3-point range). When we pushed the ball and ran, they fouled us and we made our free throws tonight (28-39). We scored almost as many points from the line as we sometimes score for the game.”
Willmar hit a last second shot to send the game into overtime.
“With the way things had been going this year, it was nice to see the girls step up and get the win,” said McAllister.
Willmar 29 33 11 — 73
Brainerd 25 37 15 — 77
WILLMAR
Courtney Magnuson 14, Kasy Linbo 4, McKenzie Hastad 9, Heather Horning 13, Anne Dunham 18, Kalley Fosso 7. FG 24-81 (30 percent), FT 12-17 (71 percent). 3-point 8-31 (26 percent).
BRAINERD
Katelyn Johnson 16, Ariana Huber 3, Maria West 30, Abby Clanton 6, Amy Southard 6, Heather Jaeche 3, Mikinze Boeder 11. FG 22-63 (35 percent), FT 28-39 (72 percent). 3-point 5-11 (45 percent). Conference: 2-10. Overall: 3-16. Next: Brainerd at Bemidji 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
