After trailing by only a point at halftime Wednesday night, the Rainy River Community College men’s basketball team ended up losing its Minnesota College Athletic Conference opener at Hibbing, 79-63.
“Poor shooting in the second half kept us out of the game,” said RRCC head coach Jack Cook, who noted the Voyageurs were sluggish and slow on both offense and defense. “We need to rebound better and relocate after passing the ball. We will get there.”
Both teams took 28 shots from the field in the second half with the Cardinals making 18 of them, compared to 10 for the Voyageurs.
For the game, Hibbing shot 30-59 (50.8 percent) from the field overall, compared to 23-65 (35.4 percent) for RRCC. The Cardinals also outrebounded the Voyageurs, 45-29.
Four Hibbing players scored in double figures led by Sam Willis with 16 points, followed by Jerry Pratt with 15, Marcellis Beard with 12 and Tori Mason Jr. with 11.
RRCC had three players score in double figures led by Deion Miley with 16 points. Devante Miley added 12 points and Harold Jenkins scored 10 more.
The Voyageurs, who are now 0-1 in the MCAC North and 2-11 overall, return to action at 3 this afternoon when they host a conference game against Vermilion.
Hibbing 79, Rainy River 63
Rainy River 32 31 — 63
Hibbing 33 46 — 79
Rainy River: Fedner Fleurant 7, Deion Miley 16, James Sauser Denesia 3, Demetrius Murphy 8, Devante Miley 12, Amhed Poche 3, Jimson Clerveus 2, Harold Jenkins 10, Fred Perard 2. 3-pointers: Deion Miley 2, Fleurant, Sauser Denesia, Devante Miley. Free throws: 12-22. Fouls: 18.
