The Riverland Community College men’s basketball team made a big comeback, but it couldn’t close the deal in an 88-78 loss to Western Wisconsin Tech in Riverland Gym Wednesday.

The Blue Devils (10-15 overall, 3-9 MCAC South) used a 27-6 run to take a 71-70 lead late in the game, but they ran out of steam.

“We made a great run in the second half,” RCC head coach Scott Koenigs said. “Having to come back twice to get back in the game kind of burned us out. We have to put so much energy into coming back because we don’t shoot threes. We have to get a lot of twos and steals.”

Cody Krueger of WWT poured in 31 points and the Cavaliers (15-11 overall, 6-7 MCAC South) shot 11-for-23 on 3-pointers.

“We just had a tough time guarding [Krueger] and he’s been doing that to everybody,” Koenigs said. “He averages twenty seven per game and he’s a nice player.”

Tucker Kinniry had 17 points for RCC as he went 4-for-7 on 3-pointers and Andrew Lau had 19 points, five rebounds and four assists.

WWT 41 47 — 88

RCC 34 44 — 78

RCC scoring: Andrew Lau, 19; Tucker Kinniry, 17; Zach Hinrichs, 15; Goliath Oboyo, 13; Gary Cook, 7; Guillermo DeDiego, 7; field goals: 52 percent (31-for-60); 3-pointers: 33 percent (6-for-18); free throws: 58 percent (10-for-17); rebounds: 37 (Hinrichs, 8); turnovers: 10