The Riverland women’s basketball team started strong, but struggled in the second half of a 73-67 loss to Ridgewater in Willmar Wednesday.

The Blue Devils (10-15 overall, 2-9 MCAC South) led 42-30 at the break after trailing 12-2 early on.

“We played a great first half,” RCC head coach Suzy Hebrink said. “We had a great ball movement.”

Ridgewater’s defense took over in the second half as they forced a few turnovers and got back in the game.

“We were extremely flat and we kind of coasted in the second half,” Hebrink said.

Ridgewater (11-15 overall, 4-8 MCAC South) out-rebounded the Blue Devils 59-40 and it shot 42 free throws, making 27 of them while RCC shot just 23 free throws.

Freshman Krista Viehauser, an Austin grad, had 33 points and Austin grad Holly Waltz played her last game at RCC as she won’t be able to make Saturday’s finale against Fergus Falls. She had six points and four steals.

RCC scoring: Krista Viehauser, 33; Brooke Rosenstiel, 11; Joni Lillo, 11; Holly Waltz, 6; Danyel Hythecker, 3; Mandy May, 3; free throws: 61 percent (14-for-23)