Seven games ago Rainy River Community College was 0-6 in the Northern Division and wondering what in the world went wrong after a hot start to the season.
Seven victories later — including Wednesday’s 79-66 win at home against Hibbing — the Voyageurs have all but clinched a spot in next weekend’s state tournament at Northland in Thief River Falls.
“All I know is we have a chance to win the whole thing ... once we’re in,” Voyageurs freshman Dashondra Brown said.
Brown scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Cardinals. Four other Voyageurs finished in double figures — Shawncinee Lay (15), Carley Lake (13), Ashley Walker (12) and Asha Johnson (11). Walker pulled down nine rebounds and Lay, coming off back-to-back Northern Division Player of the Week honors, grabbed six rebounds and dished out a team-high three assists.
“We had to be strong, because we usually break down those last 4-5 minutes. Mental toughness was key for us,” Brown said.
Hibbing got a game-high 19 points from Littlefork-Big Falls graduate Kelly Hams and Melissa Nyberg, who also grabbed 13 rebounds. Kelly Turk added 11 points.
“We just knew that we needed to get it done,” RRCC head coach Nate Berlin said.
The Voyageurs (12-13) sit alone in fourth place at 7-6 in the division, while Hibbing and Vermilion, both at 6-7, play today in the only other game of importance for RRCC. If the Voyageurs defeat Mesabi Range today, they’re in. If the Voyageurs lose, Vermilion would have to beat Hibbing today to force a tiebreaker with the Voyageurs for the last playoff spot. Hibbing, which lost three times this year to RRCC, was eliminated with Wednesday’s loss.
Itasca, Mesabi Range and Northland have already clinched a spot in the state tournament.
In Wednesday’s victory, the Voyageurs punished the Cardinals inside, slowed Hams and never trailed after taking a 24-21 lead in the first half.
“By the time we woke up it was too late,” said Hams, who came in third in the division in scoring at 17.9 points per game.
The Voyageurs shot 46 percent, including 52 percent in the first half, and constantly frustrated Cardinals with easy baskets inside. Hibbing, which advanced to state last year, shot just under 40 percent for the game.
“The lack of focus in practice and in games definitely shows up now,” Hams said.
RRCC has split two games with Mesabi Range so far this season, and Berlin is excited to face Mesabi Range.
“We know we can matchup well, so we’re looking forward to that game,” he said.
