MW BASKETBALL: Jays split DH against Riverland Blue Devils

AUSTIN — Tiffany Gehl had a game-high 21 points to lead the Minnesota West Lady Jays to a 58-45 win over the Riverland Community College Blue Devils in a women’s MCAC basketball game Wednesday.

“We had a great defensive effort in the second half and that was huge for us,” MW coach Mike Fury said.

The Lady Jays fell behind by as many as eight in the early goings of the first half, but were able to stay close to the Blue Devils and trailed by just six at halftime.

“You could really tell that we hadn’t stepped on the court for a game in a week and a half,” Fury said. “We were down by eight multiple times in the first, but we played great defense in the second half to turn things around.”

Minnesota West was able to hold Riverland to just 14 points in the second half, while scoring 33 points of its own in the final frame to claim a 13-point win.

“We were a lot more aggressive in the second and that made a difference,” Fury said. “We struggled with our shooting in the first half, but we came back in the second. It was a great win for us, especially on the road.”

Second on the scoring sheet in points for the Lady Jays was Brittany Hulstein, who had 20 points, including three 3-point baskets, and picked up five steals as well.

“Brittany stepped up for us in the second half,” Fury said. “She is a leader on the floor and we look to her for leadership and for scoring. She also had some key steals in the second.”

Lindsey Drooger was the final Minnesota West player in double-digits with 11 points to go along with nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.

The Lady Jays (13-6, 4-2) host Fergus Falls Saturday at 4 p.m. in the first game of a men’s/women’s doubleheader.

LADY JAYS 58,

RIVERLAND 45

LADY JAYS (13-6, 4-2): Kazemba, Katherine 1 0 – 2; Gehl, Tiffany 8 5 – 21; Hulstein, Brittany 7 3 – 20; Drooger, Lindsey 3 3 – 11; Granstra, Katey 2 0 – 4. Totals: 21 11- 58.

RIVERLAND (11-9, 1-5): Anderson, Skylar 1 3 – 5; Wilson, Jazmin 2 2 – 6; Aase, Rebekah 5 3 – 13; Larson, Victoria 1 3 – 5; Linderfelser, Morgan 2 0 – 4; Hebrink, Sophia 1 0 – 2; Zuniga, Brittany 1 0 – 2; Swanson, Nicole 1 0 – 2. Totals: 16 11- 45.

Lady Jays 25 33 — 58

Riverland 31 14 — 45

3-Point Goals: Lady Jays 5 (Hulstein 3, Drooger 2); Riverland 2. Rebounds: Lady Jays 43 (Drooger 9, Granstra 9); Riverland 37.

MEN

Riverland 76,

Bluejays 69

AUSTIN — Luke Roddy’s 20 points and six assists were not enough to lift the Bluejays past the Riverland Blue Devils in an MCAC men’s basketball game Wednesday.

“We played a hard game and I’m happy with our effort,” MW coach Justin Heckenlaible said. “Riverland just shot better than us and was able to rebound a little better than us as well. That was key to this game.”

The Blue Devils led by just two at halftime, but were able to penetrate the Bluejays’ defense with ease in the second half to extend their lead.

“We did a nice job offensively in the first half, because we moved the ball and made shots,” Heckenlaible said. “But in the second half, we did not play good defense. We just couldn’t get any stops on our end of the court.”

Tyler Aquallo was second on the team in scoring for Minnesota West with 12 points, while Jackson Seitzinger scored 10 points to round out the Bluejays in double-digits.

The Blue Devils were led by Andrew Lau (21 points) and Marcus Ratliff (20) in the game.

“We had shots we could have made, but we hit a few dry spells in the game,” Heckenlaible said. “You have to win games on the road in this league.”

The Bluejays (10-9, 3-4) host Fergus Falls Saturday at 6 p.m. in the second game of a men’s/women’s doubleheader.

RIVERLAND 76,

BLUEJAYS 69

BLUEJAYS (10-9, 3-4): Roddy, Luke 6 4 – 20; Langdeau, Tyson 1 2 – 5; Seitzinger, Jackson 3 2 – 10; Olson, Mitch 1 1 – 3; Brown, Orie 4 0 – 9; Aquallo, Tyler 4 1 – 12; Hopkins, Mitch 2 0 – 4; Lupton, Taylor 1 0 – 2; Harris, Cody 2 0 – 4. Totals: 24 10 - 69.

RIVERLAND (11-9, 4-3): Lau, Andrew 7 2 – 22; Adams, T.J. 4 3 – 11; Bunch, Zach 5 5 – 15; Oboyo, Goliath 1 2 – 5; Dean, Leigh 1 0 – 2; Ratliff, Marcus 8 2 – 21. Totals: 26 14 – 76.

Bluejays 39 30 — 69

Riverland 41 35 — 76

3-Point Goals: Bluejays 11 (Roddy 4, Aquallo 3, Seitzinger 2, Langdeau 1, Brown 1); Riverland 10 (Lau 6, Ratliff 3, Oboyo 1). Rebounds: Bluejays 34 (Brown 7); Riverland 40.

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