After falling behind by around 20 points in both games to open the season at last weekend’s Mesabi Range Tourney, the Rainy River Community College men’s basketball team couldn’t quite narrow the deficit enough in the second half.

In RRCC’s opening contest Friday, the Voyageurs were behind by 19 at halftime before losing to Hibbing, 104-93.

“We had a slow start against Hibbing,” said RRCC head coach Jack Cook. “We fell behind by as much as 26 at one time, but a strong second half pulled us within 11 and that is what we lost by.”

The Voyageurs made less than one-third of their field goals (13-40) before halftime and then went 50 percent from the field (20-40) in the second half.

While both teams ended up making 33 field goals with similar shooting percentages, RRCC didn’t do as well at the charity stripe by sinking 21 of 38 free throws, compared to 35 of 45 for Hibbing.

Sophomore guards Sheldon Esdelle-Blackburn and Mark Ross led the Voyageurs with 19 and 16 points, respectively, while freshman forwards Shawn Filipiak and Quintrell Rowe each added 11.

The Cardinals had five players in double figures led by guard Larry Banks Jr. with 19 and forward Shaylon Fenstermaker with 18.

Saturday’s game against Mesabi Range featured an even larger deficit for the Voyageurs, who at one time fell behind by 29, but a closer finish. RRCC trailed by 23 at intermission before losing, 93-86.

“Our guys played hard, but the point spread was too big to overcome in both games,” Cook said. “I was proud of our guys for not giving up, but we need to play better in the first half.”

Against Mesabi Range, the Voyageurs had similar shooting statistics, making less than one-third of their field goals (13 of 42) before halftime and improving to 21 of 43 in the second half. The difference in the game turned out to be free throws with the Norse making seven more (18 of 32) than RRCC (11 of 20).

Freshman forward William Sparkman came off the bench Saturday to lead the Voyageurs with 22 points, while Esdelle-Blackburn had 18 and freshman guard Nicholas Bujold added 10.

Mesabi Range guard Markees Walker led all scorers with 27, including four 3-pointers.

“I think we were a little nervous in both games,” Cook said. “It’s nice to have a couple of games played, so we can see what we need to work on.”

RRCC, which is 0-2 overall, returns to action this Friday and Saturday at the Vermilion Tourney in Ely.

Hibbing 104, RRCC 93

Rainy River 36 57 — 93

Hibbing 55 49 — 104

Rainy River: Shawn Filipiak 11, Spencer Collins 6, Eric Johnson 2, Mark Ross 16, Sheldon Esdelle-Blackburn 19, William Sparkman 8, Marshawn Tobin 8, Brandon Woods 5, Quintrell Rowe 11, Nicholas Bujold 4, Justin Washington 3. 3-pointers: Tobin 2, Filipiak, Sparkman, Bujold, Washington. Free throws: 21-28. Fouls: 29

Mesabi Range 93, RRCC 86

Rainy River 30 56 — 86

Mesabi Range 53 40 — 93

Rainy River: Shawn Filipiak 8, Spencer Collins 9, Mark Ross 9, Sheldon Esdelle-Blackburn 18, Nicholas Bujold 10, Marshawn Tobin 3, William Sparkman 22, Justin Washington 3, Quintrell Rowe 6. 3-pointers: Esdelle-Blackburn 2, Collins, Ross, Tobin, Sparkman, Washington. Free throws: 11-20. Fouls: 25. Fouled out: Filipiak, Tobin.