Ross Thede

AUSTIN -&160;The Riverland men’s basketball team jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never allowed the University of Wisconsin-Richland to get within seven points in the Blue Devils’ largest victory of the season, 89-45, Wednesday night.

Thursday, December 06, 2001

AUSTIN -&160;The Riverland men’s basketball team jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never allowed the University of Wisconsin-Richland to get within seven points in the Blue Devils’ largest victory of the season, 89-45, Wednesday night.

Four Riverland players scored in double-digits as the Blue Devils (4-2) earned their fourth consecutive win in convincing fashion. UW-Richland (4-6) had not lost since Nov. 26 when Riverland made the three-hour trip to Richland Center, Wis., and defeated the Roadrunners 84-66.

&uot;Our defense clearly was the difference in the second half,&uot; said Blue Devil coach Dave Lillemon. &uot;I challenged the guys at halftime, and they did it. We didn’t give them as many open looks and we only gave them one shot.&uot;

Riverland outrebounded UW-Richland by an margin of 51-26, led by freshman Jake Bettis’ 16 boards. Bettis also scored 15 points, trailing only teammate Andy Stouvenel who scorched the nets from long range for 17.

Stouvenel was 3-4 from behind the three-point arc and 7-9 overall from the floor. Bettis was 5-8 from the field and 5-6 from the free-throw line.

&uot;I’m just trying to do good things out there,&uot; Bettis said. &uot;Good things will happen if you hustle out there.&uot;

Riverland outhustled the Roadrunners in every aspect of the game, and will need to maintain that level of play when they hit the road this weekend.

The Blue Devils visit Mesabi Range on Friday night and defending Minnesota Community College Conference state champion Vermilion Saturday ninght. &uot;We’re pleased to be at 4-2, but we’re not a good 4-2 team,&uot; Lillemon said. &uot;We’ll see how we line-up up there (Northern Division) and in the state.&uot;

Mesabi and Vermilion are the two frontrunners for the MCCC Northern Division title, while Riverland is fighting for the Southern Division crown. The Blue Devils do not begin inter-division play until January.

UW-RICHLAND (45) – Sjoberg 3-4 0-1 9; Lee 1-6 0-0 3; Morgenthaler 1-3 0-0 3; Molitor 6-17 4-4 18; Niemeyer 0-1 0-0 0; Kuban 1-4 0-0 2; Wilson 1-2 0-0 2; Sime 0-4 0-1 0; Mitchell 2-11 0-0 5; Oetzman 1-4 0-0 3; Saucerman 0-1 0-0 0; Randall 0-2 0-0 0; Miller 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 16-60 FG 4-6 FT 45.

RIVERLAND (89) – Little 1-5 0-0 2; Peterson 2-7 1-1 5; Stouvenel 7-9 0-0 17; Skellenger 1-3 1-2 3; Hansen 4-9 4-4 14; Bettis 5-8 5-6 15; Erichson 4-10 0-2 12; Nalan 3-5 2-3 8; Connaughty 4-5 0-0 9; Miller 2-2 0-0 4.

Totals: 33-63 FG 13-18 FT 89.

Three-point goals: UWR 9-27 (Sjoberg 3-4, Lee 1-3, Morgenthaler 1-2, Molitor 2-4, Niemeyer 0-1, Mitchell 1-8, Oetzman 1-3, Saucerman 0-1, Randall 0-1); RCC 10-22 (Peterson 0-2, Stouvenel 3-4, Hansen 2-3, Erichson 4-8, Nalan 0-1, Connaughty 1-4). Rebounds: UWR 26 (Molitor, Sime 5); RCC 51 (Bettis 16). Team Fouls: UWR 14, RCC 12. Fouled out: Oetzman. Halftime score: RCC 41, UWR 30.