Riverland's balance was no match for Minneapolis' one-woman show.

Marauders sophomore Jessica Crockett scored 32 points -- 16 in each half -- in leading the MCCC's second-ranked Minneapolis women's basketball team past the host Lady Blue Devils, 78-70, Wednesday night in Austin.

Riverland (3-14, 1-5) had five players score in double figures for only the third time this season. The previous two resulted in wins.

Minneapolis (15-2, 4-2) is rated second in the latest National Junior College Athletic Association Division III poll, released Monday. The Marauders got twice the average production from Crockett, who averaged 15.1 points per game entering Wednesday's league clash. She was the South Division's Player of the Week last week and was on pace to take the honor again after ripping Riverland for 32 points and 12 rebounds.

"They were so darn quick we were just kind of shellshocked," said Riverland coach Suzy Hebrink. "They were tough to contain. Defensively, other than rebounding, we did a good job."

Riverland was outrebounded by Minneapolis 40-17, including 18 offensive rebounds for the Marauders. Crockett had seven of them.

"We had a gameplan and we kind of fell asleep," Hebrink said. "We knew they were going to drive."

The Blue Devils had trouble starting their offense against Minneapolis, as Crockett made seven steals and dribbled most of them to the other end of the court for layups. Riverland attempted 15 fewer shots than their guests.

"They're something," Hebrink said. "They're definitely one of the top two teams. That we made them fight to get out of here is worth a lot.

"We just have to start coming up with some wins right now."

The Blue Devils ended a nine-game losing streak with a win at Rochester Community and Technical College last Saturday, but Riverland hopes to turn its season around with a strong finish in the second half of the conference schedule. The Devils host Minnesota West Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Riverland's first lead of the game came on a three-pointer by Hannah Tvedt, sparking an 8-0 run that surged the Devils to a 54-48 advantage with 13:30 to play. The Marauders responded with 14 of the next 16 points to regain control of the game.

The Lady Blue Devils got to within three points twice in the final nine minutes, but Minneapolis kept scoring. Brandy Moore scored 14 of her 18 in the second half, fueled by four of her eight offensive rebounds and coinciding putbacks for layups.

Crockett added 4-for-6 free-throw shooting in the final 35 seconds to ice the game.

Bridget Burzinski had another strong night on both ends of the court, cashing in with 16 points to lead Riverland. Katie Berg scored a season-high 14 points, Jenny Schnaufer added 12, Steph Vollbrecht tossed in 11 and Twedt finished with 10.

Minneapolis' scoring trio of Crockett, Moore and Shannon Finis combined for 66 of the team's 78 points, equivalent to 85 percent. Crockett made 13-of-21 field goals and Moore was 8-for-10 as the Marauders shot 55 percent from the floor.

Minneapolis only attempted four three-pointers and missed all of them, but the Marauders are averaging 67 points per game with a league-low 30 three-pointers made.

Riverland shot 53 percent but attempted 15 fewer shots than its opponent. The Devils were 7-of-11 from three-point land, but leading long-range shooter Tayna Jensen played just five minutes while trying to make a comeback from an ankle sprain.

Boxscore:

MINNEAPOLIS (78) -- Sage Funmaker 2, Gabrielle Childs 2, Hollie Vortes 4, Brandy Moore 18, Stacy Carpenter 0, Shannon Finis 16, Jessica Nesbitt 16, Jessica Crockett 32.

RIVERLAND (70) -- Katie Berg 14, Bridget Burzinski 16, Hannah Tvedt 10, Jenny Schnaufer 12, Steph Vollbrecht 11, Shelly Sorenson 2, Tanya Jensen 0, Becky Herrmann 5.

Halftime score--Mpls 38, Riv 37. Field goals--Mpls 33-60; Riv 24-45. Three-pointers--Mpls 0-4; Riv 7-11 (Vollbrecht 3-5, Berg 2-2, Burzinski 1-1, Twedt 1-1, Schnaufer 0-2). Free-throws--Mpls 12-18, Riv 15-20. Rebounds--Mpls 40 (Moore 13, Crockett 12); Riv 17 (Burzinski 4, Twedt 3). Team fouls--Mpls 18, Riv 20. Fouled out--Schnaufer.