LRSC men split games in home invitational
The Lake Region State College men’s basketball team got a taste of a top team in the country Saturday at the Sports Center and showed it’s right there in that conversation.
Article by Sam Herder, Devils Lake Journal Sports, published Nov. 9, 2015.
The Lake Region State College men's basketball team got a taste of a top team in the country Saturday at the Sports Center and showed it's right there in that conversation.
Iowa Western, the preseason No. 23 ranked team, needed all 40 minutes to beat the Royals 81-77.
LRSC responded to the close loss with a 109-88 win against Jamestown JV on Sunday to move its record to 2-1.
"1-1 on the weekend, obviously you're happy to get a W and come out and battle," Royals head coach Jared Marshall said. "When you take the No. 23 team down to the wire like we did, I think you learn a lot. Little bit of a letdown against Jamestown JV, but that's to be expected."
Saturday was a high-intensity, emotional game. After trailing 38-35 at halftime, the Royals came out hot thanks to sophomore Ryan Clark.
Clark scored eight straight, including two three pointers, for the Royals to grab a 47-44 lead.
The game remained tight, with the Royals and Reivers exchanging leads. LRSC had a 72-70 advantage with under four minutes remaining, but Iowa Western scored five straight over the next two minutes.
The Reivers hit clutch free throws down the stretch to claim a two-possession lead. An AJ Nywesh three cut the score to 79-77 with nine seconds left, but Iowa Western made both free throws to get the 81-77 win.
"We battled for 40 minutes. We just kept pushing and pressing and never quit," Marshall said. "I think that says a lot about our team. It shows we're right there."
Coming off the emotional loss, the Royals were slow out of the gates Sunday. While LRSC held the lead the entire game, Jamestown JV was within striking distance during the first half.
LRSC got hot from the field and began hitting shots off of solid ball movement in the second half. The Royals ended the day with five players in double-digit points, led by Ben Rennie's 23.
"Ben scored today against Jamestown and he may not have had the points against Iowa Western, but he hounded (Donovan Jackson), their best player all night. Ben is a solid, all-around kid and he gives you his everything all the time."
