WILLMAR – The Riverland Community College men’s basketball team played a sloppy first half Wednesday and could never overcome a 12-point deficit at halftime in recording a 73-62 loss to Ridgewater College.

Thursday, January 18, 2001

WILLMAR – The Riverland Community College men’s basketball team played a sloppy first half Wednesday and could never overcome a 12-point deficit at halftime in recording a 73-62 loss to Ridgewater College.

The Blue Devils found themselves down by seven, 19-12, at 10:52 of the first and 29-18 at 7:002 before trailing 38-26 at half.

"Turnovers really hurt us early," said head coach Dave Lillemon. "We had 14 first half turnovers. We played a very poor first half offensively."

Riverland put a dent in the deficit in the second half cutting it to five, 40-35, with 16:41 to go. The Blue Devils stayed within the five-point range, trailing 47-42 at 12:53 and 54-49 at 9:08.

"We could never get any closer," Lillemon said.

The Blue Devils ended up with 20 turnovers for the contest but out-rebounded Ridgewater, 41-36.

Riverland shot 39 percent from the field, 22-57, and only 5 of 17 from three-point range. The Blue Devils made 13 of 21 from the free throw line.

Brandon Kettner was one bright spot for Riverland, scoring a team-high 24 points.

Brett Rogers registered eight, Nick Peters seven, Tom Yost six, Ryan Hansen and Matt Nalan four and Marzel Little with three.

The Blue Devils home Wednesday against Bethany College.

Ridgewater 77, Riverland 61

WILLMAR – To many of the Riverland Community College girls basketball players Wednesday night must have felt as if they were knocking their heads against the side of the building.

Ridgewater’s 6-foot Jenny Keane established a home underneath the basket in scoring 36 points on 17 of 21 shooting in leading her team to a 77-61 triumph over the Blue Devils.

"She had a lot of easy baskets," said head coach Suzy Hebrink. "We didn’t rotate down and cover her. She really ate us up with one- and two-foot shoots."

Ridgewater also fed off the Blue Devils on the perimeter, causing 25 Riverland turnovers.

"A lot of those were steals right out of our guard’s hands," Hebrink said. "We weren’t prepared for their pressure.

"They’re a tough team, probably the toughest defensive team we’ve seen all year as far as player to player."

After a "poorly played" first half that left the Blue Devils trailing by 19 points, 47-28, Riverland made some inroads in the second half.

"We regrouped and played a really solid half, out-scoring them by three in the second half."

Though Ridgewater was bigger in the post, the Blue Devils nullified the Willmar college on the boards, 41-40.

Alissa Goetzinger scored a team-high 14 points to lead four players in double figures. Sara Nagele scored 12, Samantha Ulrich chipped in with 11 and Missy Aver had 10. Tammy May added eight and Melissa Rosel six.

Rosel led the team in rebounds with 10 while Avery and Nagele had eight each and Ulrich pulled down six.

Riverland plays a make-up game Monday at home against Mid-State Technical College.