Men defeat Ridgewater

Men get 21st win
The Central Lakes College Raiders (21-1) have an opportunity to clinch a postseason No. 1 seed and remove the bitter taste from their mouth after last year’s early playoff exit. They remained focused Sat., Feb. 4 to notch a 97-73 win over Ridgewater in Brainerd. Kwamaine Johnson (shown) led all scorers with 24 points and Maurice Hernandez added 21. Brandon Davis scored 11 of CLC’s first 13 points and finished with 18. The Raiders, who shot 55% from the field and 42% from the line, will host three of the last five games, including a regular season finale against defending division champion Rochester
Women lose close one
The Central Lakes Raiders shot just 32% Sat., Feb. 4 in a 52-47 loss to Ridgewater in Brainerd. CLC led at halftime, 30-27. Nikki Pearson finished with 17 points plus 7 rebounds and 4 steals and Elizabeth Mattson added 11 points. CLC was strong at the free throw line, making 9 of 13 (69%). Ridgewater shot 36 percent from the floor, 46% at the line. “We had the flu with about three quarters of our team being sick...We just didn’t have any energy, ” said Coach Dennis Eastman. The Raiders are battling for the fourth playoff spot in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference tournament. The loss left them with a 2-5 Southern Division record, 8-12 overall. Next: At Riverland Wed., Feb. 8.