Just when it looked like the Riverland Community College women’s basketball team was about to be blown out, it showed a spark and made things real interesting.

The Blue Devils trailed Anoka-Ramsey 60-46 late in the game, but they used a 16-4 run to get within 64-62 with 1:23 left. It wasn’t enough as the Rams (11-3 overall, 1-0 MCAC South) held on to a 68-62 win.

“They’re one of the best teams in the country and we gave them one of their closest games in a long time,” RCC head coach Suzy Hebrink said. “It shows you that any team can get rattled or go cold when they get tired.”

RCC (5-9 overall, 0-1 MCAC South) got back in the game by applying defensive pressure and forcing turnovers. Miriah Carruth had four straight break-away lay-ups to push the tempo up and Brittany Zuniga hit a jump shot to make it a 64-62 game.

The Rams put the game away when Olivia Antilla, who had 36 points and 12 rebounds, pulled down an offensive rebound and scored to make it 66-62 with 54 seconds left.

Carruth, a freshman from St. Paul Johnson, kept RCC in the game as she finished with 29 points, three rebounds and five assists.

“She does so much,” Hebrink said. “She typically can distribute more, but she was getting doubled the entire game. She has to have the ball in her hands a lot.”

RCC’s defense stepped up its game in the second half as it held the Rams to 23 second half points. RCC also forced 20 turnovers.

“It’s great for us for an opener,” Hebrink said. “To give Anoka a battle and slow them down in the second half is a testament to what we can do on defense.”

AR 45 23 — 68

RCC 32 30 — 62

RCC scoring: Miriah Carruth, 29; Brittany Zuniga, 8; Courtney Perrin, 7; Danielle Groepper, 7; McKenzie Zuniga, 6; Victoria Larson, 3; Ashley Sanderson, 2; field goals: 42 percent (25-for-59); 3-pointers: 33 percent (4-for-12); free throws: 67 percent (8-for-12); rebounds: 37 (Groepper, 7); turnovers: 24