The Rainy River Community College men’s basketball team started off both games to begin the 2012-13 season better than finishing them last weekend when the Voyageurs lost twice in the Mesabi Range Tourney at Virginia.

“It’s early in the season, I know, and we’ve got some things to work on,” said RRCC head coach Jack Cook.

Cook said the Voyageurs had problems with the defense and ball movement when they lost Friday’s game to Fond du Lac, 91-78.

He noted RRCC took an early 14-point lead, which evaporated into a 40-40 tie at halftime, before being outscored by the Thunder in the second half, 51-38.

The three Voyageur players in their sophomore year of eligibility each scored in double figures led by guard Jeff Romeus with 23 points — including six 3-pointers — followed by 20 from forward William Sparkman, who made three shots behind the arc, and 12 from forward Spencer Collins.

RRCC shot 30-79 (38 percent) from the field and went 10-32 (31.2 percent) behind the arc.

On defense, the Voyageurs hauled in 43 rebounds and had 9 steals.

 

MRCTC 86, RRCC 70

After playing a close game Saturday with Mesabi Range for the first 10 minutes, Cook said the Norsemen took a 13-point lead at halftime and “we just couldn’t come back from it” when RRCC lost, 86-70.

Though the Voyageurs took more shots from the field, where they went 28-77 (36.4 percent), Mesabi Range made more baskets by going 32-70 (45.7 percent).

The Norsemen also outrebounded RRCC, 54-35.

Mesabi Range forward Becarius Dinkins led five Norsemen scoring in double figures with a game-high 32 points and also recorded a double-double by hauling in 15 rebounds.

Four Voyageur players scored in double figures led by Sparkman with 19, followed by Romeus with 14, center Joshua Pierre with 12 and forward Deaunte Hammer with 11.

RRCC, which is 0-2 for the season, returns to action at 4 p.m. Friday when the Voyageurs face Itasca at the two-day Vermilion Tourney in Ely.

 

Friday’s game

FdL 91, RRCC 78

RRCC  4038 — 78

FdL  4051 — 91

RRCC: William Sparkman 20, Spencer Collins 12, Joshua Pierre 2, Ira Johnson 7, Jeff Romeus 23, Dorian O’Neal 2, Deaunte Hammer 4, Roderick Lewis 5, Adrian Bush 3. 3-pointers: Romeus 6, Sparkman 3, Bush. Free throws: 8-18. Fouls: 19.

 

Saturday’s game

MRCTC 86, RRCC 70

RRCC     2941 — 70

MRCTC  4244 — 86

RRCC: William Sparkman 19, Spencer Collins 2, Joshua Pierre 12, Ira Johnson 2, Jeff Romeus 14, Carlson Reliford 2, Alcie Butler 8, Deaunte Hammer 11. 3-pointers: Sparkman 3, Romeus 2, Butler. Free throws: 8-18. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Pierre.