The Riverland women’s and men’s teams traveled Wednesday to LaCrosse, Wis.

Thursday, December 16, 1999

The Riverland women’s and men’s teams traveled Wednesday to LaCrosse, Wis., where the Blue Devils swept both games against Western Wisconsin Tech in dramatic fashion.

Renae Bebler continues to come on strong for the Blue Devils.

Bebler scored 21 points in the game and took over in overtime, scoring eight points in the extra action.

Bebler’s pressure play was particularly impressive, because the team’s leading scorer, Rachael Burzinski, fouled out with 26 points and didn’t play in OT.

"With Rachael fouling out," Coach Suzy Hebrink said, "it made it extra tough."

The Blue Devils trailed by 10 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. But the Blue Devils full-court press created plenty of scoring opportunities down the stretch.

The Riverland women are now 5-3 on the season.

Riverland men 96, Western Wisconsin 94

Riverland coach Dave Lillemon called the game a "dogfight."

The Blue Devils trailed by one, 46-45, at the half, before their 23-12 run to start the second half opened a Riverland lead.

Western Wisconsin fought back with a 10-0 run later in the half to tie the game, which became a basket-for-basket battle down the stretch. Regulation ended with the game knotted at 86-86.

Five Blue Devils finished in double figures, led by Jesse Heiny’s 23 – 20 of those coming in the first half – and Brett Rogers’ 20.

Rogers’ fellow freshmen Brandon Kettner and Tom Yost pitched in with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Garrett Ulrich added 15.

The win was Riverland’s fourth straight, The 7-2 Blue Devils are an impressive 4-1 on the road. "We didn’t play good defense," Lillemon said, "but we found a way to win."

The Riverland men and women play Mid-State Tech at home on Saturday. Game day is Blue Day. Those wearing blue get a special admission discount.