Raider men escape with victory

GRAND RAPIDS -- The Central Lakes College men's basketball team was outscored 63-41 in the second half but hung on for a 98-92 North Division win over the Itasca Vikings Wednesday.

Itasca shot eight free throws in the opening half but was awarded 29 in the second, and made 26.

"That's what kept them in the game," Raiders coach Jim Russell said.

Brandon Flanders, Joel Clough, Jay Mrozek and Wade Mortenson each scored 15 points as the Raiders evened their division record at 3-3 and improved to 7-9 overall.

"Joel showed great leadership at the end of the game," Russell said. "He was 9-for-9 at the free-throw line. With about three minutes left Joel took charge. They were trying to press us but he took over. He led us in assists with nine. It was a great effort on his part.

"The last three games Joel has really come on. He's back to the old Joel we know, hard-nosed and aggressive at both ends of the court."

In all, the Raiders had six players score in double figures and recorded 24 assists as a team.

"Coming off the bench we had two guys who led us in scoring in Flanders (15 points) and Aaron Otteson (14)," Russell said. "Flanders in 16 minutes had nine rebounds."

Central Lakes (98)

Joe Sahlberg 5, Brandon Flanders 15, Adam Walker 3, Aaron Otteson 14, Joel Clough 15, Travis Janich 12, Zach Wymore 5, Jay Mrozek 15, Wade Mortenson 15. Team totals: FG 36-66 (54 percent), FT 19-28 (68 percent). Conference -- 3-3. Overall -- 7-9. Next game: Vermilion 8 p.m. Friday, Mesabi 3 p.m. Saturday

Itasca (92)

Jeremy Samarzia 12, Justin Johnson 2, Brandon Schultz 4, Dustin Heijny 17, Jeff Prell 2, Tim Monicken 18, Aaron Stolp 5, Davis Lamppa 26, Ben Melting 6. Team totals: FG 27-67 (40 percent), FT 33-37 (89 89 percent).

3-point baskets -- CLC 8-23 (Walker, Otteson 4, Janich 2, Mrozek), Ita 5-18 (Samarzia, Heijny, Monicken, Lamppa 2). Rebounds -- CLC 42 (Flanders 9, Mrozek 9), Ita 37 (Monicken 9). Turnovers -- CLC 12, Ita 8. Total fouls -- CLC 20, Ita 12. Assists -- CLC 24 (Clough 9, Sahlberg 5), Ita 7. Steals -- CLC 8 (Clough 3), Ita 3. Blocks -- CLC 4 (Mrozek 3), Ita 1. Halftime -- CLC 41, Ita 29.