Big Nine champ Austin falls in state tourney
Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 18, 2004
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) &045; Laura Nielsen had 26 points and 15 rebounds to power Willmar past Austin 62-51 in the Class 3A girls state quarterfinals Wednesday.
Emily Swierenga added 14 points for the sixth-ranked Cardinals (23-5), who advance to play Andover in Thursday’s semifinals.
Laura Geffert scored 18 points before fouling out for the fourth-ranked Packers (23-5). Elisa Bue, Austin’s career scoring and rebounding leader, had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Clinging to a 42-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Willmar repeatedly pounded the ball inside to Nielsen. The sophomore center responded with 11 points and three putback baskets off her own misses.
Swierenga went 5-of-6 from the free-throw line down the stretch to help the Cardinals seal the victory.
Willmar 62, Austin 51
AUSTIN (23-5)
Brittney Erichson 3-8 2-2 8, Keri Feller 3-6 1-2 7, Laura Geffert 7-8 3-4 18, Elisa Bue 3-10 7-8 13, Angie Rohne 0-3 2-2 2, Anna Hebrink 1-4 0-0 3, Amy VanProosdy 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-39 15-18 51.
WILLMAR (23-5)
Andrea Brown 1-1 0-0 2, Emily Swierenga 4-12 4-5 14, Lindsey Saunders 1-2 0-0 2, Tena Tytel 1-11 0-0 2, Laura Nielsen 10-15 6-10 26, Megan Wrobel 1-1 0-0 2, Kaily Rice 0-0 0-0 0, Joy Esbolt 2-4 3-4 8, Sara De Gree 2-4 2-3 6. Totals 22-50 15-22 62.
First quarter&045;Austin 10, Willmar 10. Halftime&045;Willmar 27, Austin 25. Third quarter&045;Willmar 42, Austin 38. 3-Point Goals&045;Austin 2-13 (Erichson 0-1, Geffert 1-2, Bue 0-5, Rohne 0-1, Hebrink 1-4), Willmar 3-12 (Swierenga 2-6, Tytel 0-3, Esboldt 1-3). Fouled out&045;Austin (Geffert). Rebounds&045;Austin 21 (Bue 10), Willmar 32 (Nielsen 15). Assists&045;Austin 8 (Bue 4), Willmar 9 (De Gree 4). Total fouls&045;Austin 18, Willmar 18. A&045;unavailable.