WILLMAR — In a game that featured four ties, four lead changes and never becoming a double-digit deficit, the Ridgewater College men’s basketball team came out on top with a 67-63 victory over Mesari Range on Friday.
The Norsemen constantly found ways to keep the game close despite shooting 28% from the field and 8% from 3-point range.
Mesabi Range outrebounded the Warriors 51-36, dominated the bench scoring 37-17 and led points in the paint 42-30.
The Warriors had 25 turnovers to the Norseman’s 19.
Sophomore Cartier Bickley finished as the Warriors’ leading scorer with 20 points, shooting 54% from the field and 58% from the free-throw line. Bickley also led Ridgewater with eight rebounds.
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Ridgewater led 17-9 with 10:27 remaining in the first half, forcing the Norsemen to call a timeout.
The eight-point lead would become the largest of the game.
Following the timeout, Mesabi Range rallied.
Ridgewater held a 31-29 halftime lead.
The Warriors took their second largest lead in the second half at 37-31.
The Norsemen eventually took a 57-54 lead with four minutes remaining in the second half. Prompting Ridgewater head coach Nathan Thooft to call a timeout.
Ridgewater came out of the timeout and outscored the Norsemen 13-6 to take the victory.
Ridgewater plays host to Vermilion Community College at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
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