The second-ranked NJCAA Division III Central Lakes College Raiders , after winning their first 22 games this season, lost at third-ranked Rochester, 68-57, Wed., Feb. 2. Marcus Ayala was the only Raider to score in double figures with 15 points. “This was a really physical and we new it would be,” said CLC Coach Jim Russell. “When you play against a good team you have to play your game, not theirs.” One stat that tells the story: 22 turnovers by CLC. But the Raders also shot just 35 percent from the floor and only 58 percent at the charity stripe. CLC had defeated Rochester, 87-77, Jan. 8 in Brainerd. The teams are now tied for the Southern Division lead at 7-1 and both are 22-1 on the season. A third Minnesota College Athletic Conference powerhouse, Minnesota State, is also ranked in the national poll.
Women lead at half but lose
The CLC women’s absketball team went into halftime leading the Yellowjackets, 29-28, but lost 61-41 at Rochester. In the final half, the Raiders turned the ball over 11 times compared to Rochester’s two — that made the difference. Stephanie Neugebauer scored 12 points for the Raiders, who shot 40 percent from the floor and 63 percent at the free throw line. Rochester’s offense had three players in double-figure scoring. The Raiders are now 8-15 overall, 1-7 in the Southern Division. Next: Ridgewater at CLC, Sat., Feb. 5, women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m.