The Minnesota College Athletic Conference basketball season began Wednesday night for Rainy River Community College with mixed results for the men’s and women’s teams.

Sam Stirgus sank a half-court shot with 1.6 seconds left to play to lift the RRCC men’s basketball team to a 77-76 victory at Hibbing.

“We didn’t shoot well (Wednesday night) and Hibbing did,” said RRCC head coach Kristofer Babler. “You live by (the 3-point shot) and die by it. (Wednesday night) we struggled, but hit when it counted. We were lucky to win.”

RRCC, which led 47-41 at halftime, had two players end up with more than 20 points. Ahmad Poche scored a game-high 25 points with Stirgus adding 23 more.

Hibbing had four players score in double figures led by Noah Davis with 17 points.

The victory improved the Voyageurs’ season record to 9-4 overall and 1-0 in the MCAC North.

HIBBING 57, RRCC WOMEN 42

The RRCC women’s basketball team had only five available players when the Voyageurs trailed by five points at halftime and ended up losing at Hibbing, 57-42.

Shania Thompson led the Voyageurs with 20 points, 15 rebounds and four steals. Dominique Hines was RRCC’s only other player to score in double figures with 10 points.

Hibbing was led in scoring by Amber Zapata with 17 points and Sarah Stolp with 13 points.

With the loss, RRCC’s record dropped to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in the MCAC North.

The Voyageurs play their conference home opener Saturday against Vermilion with the RRCC women tipping off at 1 p.m. and the men slated to start at 3 p.m.