The Riverland men’s basketball team has been working on its mental toughness this season and it took a big step forward in that department in Riverland Gym Wednesday night.

The Blue Devils saw their lead disappear in the final two minutes of the game, but they were able to bounce back and beat St. Cloud Tech 83-82.

Darius Bell, a sophomore from Bloomington, who had 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, sealed the win when he converted a lay-up to put RCC up 83-82 with nine seconds left in the game. The Blue Devils forced a turnover on the final possession of the night for St. Cloud (12-2 overall, 2-1 MCAC South).

“Tonight our guys were mentally tough and they moved on to the next play. Guys are buying in,” RCC head coach Derek Hahn said. “Darius has been there and done that. He has a swagger to him and he has the confidence to be kind of a super star player at this level. There’s been nights that he’s missed some of the shots he made tonight and he’s learned from those.”

Bell had missed two straight free throws and a three-pointer with his team trailing in the final two minutes, but he was able to get to the rim and score after Junior Stone pulled down an offensive rebound and set him up.

“This was a big win. This is a big confidence builder and we realize what we can do. We’re coming. We’re hungry,” Bell said. “All I was thinking about was the next play. I can’t worry about the last play. Our coach teaches us to move on to the next play and my coach trusts me to make plays for the team.”

The Blue Devils (11-5 overall, 2-1 MCAC South) had led 78-72 with 4:40 left in the game after Marcus Wynn hit a three-pointer, but St. Cloud went on a 10-1 run to seize an 82-79 lead with 1:01 left. Bell converted a lay-up with 38 seconds left to make it an 82-81 game.

Austin grad Mark Manyuon stepped up off the bench and had his most productive outing of the season for the Blue Devils. He finished with 11 points and five rebounds, while playing some lock down defense.

“The energy was there all night and that fueled us at the end of the game,” Manyuon said. “I came in with a focus tonight that I don’t think I’ve had in awhile. I came in to eat. I’m hungry.”

Hahn said the win was a big one for an RCC team that is hoping to make a push for the Regional tournament this season. Just four out of the eight MCAC South teams will advance to postseason play.

“St. Cloud is a team that we as a coaching staff have pegged to make the Regional team,” Hahn said. “When you can beat those top teams at your place that’s big, because it’s tough to go up there and win. When you want to be a Region tournament team, you can’t get swept.”

SCS 43  39  —  82

RCC 44  39  —  83

RCC scoring: Darius Bell, 22; Marcus Wynn, 14; Jace Klinkner, 13; Mark Manyuon, 11; Junior Stone, 8; Kyler Paulson, 6; Sam Kuany, 4; Donte Makazu, 3; Abdibari Abdikadir, 2; free throws: 58 percent (7-for-12); rebounds: 43 (Klinkner, 7); turnovers: 19