LA CROSSE, Wis.

Wednesday, November 14, 2001

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Riverland Community College basketball teams had mixed results in their season opener Monday at Western Wisconsin Technical College. The women won 82-68 while the men kept it close but lost 74-68.

Melissa Bemis, a sophomore from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, led four women scorers in double figures with 19 points. Sara Nagele scored 18, Samantha Ulrich 13, Missy Avery 12, Tanya Jensen eight, Katie Berg six, Tammy May four, Steph Vollbrecht two.

&uot;After a long volleyball season we’re just getting going, with all our players being at only four practices all year,&uot; said Blue Devils coach Suzy Hebrink. &uot;All in all, the team played real well. It was a great team effort. I was just glad to get out of there with a win.&uot;

Coach Dave Lillemon’s men’s squad narrowed a 16-point deficit to two with 1:34 remaining but got no closer.

Scoring for RCC were Andy Stouvenel with 15 points, Jared More 13, Marzell Little 10, Jake Bettis nine, Andy Erickson nine, Eaton Miller seven, Curt Peterson three and Ryan Hansen two.

&uot;It was a good ballgame for us,&uot; said Lillemon. &uot;We had good balance.&uot;

The men are in action again tonight, hosting Waldorf at 7 p.m. in Austin. The women’s team hosts Western Wisconsin next Tuesday at 6 p.m., with the men playing at 8.